Senior Instructor Anna Fidler led students underground to paint in OSU’s historic steam tunnels
Tunnel Mural Project
By Colin Bowyer, Communications Manager - November 27, 2024
The final project of 2-D Core Studio (ART 115) has typically asked students to scout locations across campus for a new pattern, e.g. wallpaper for the Memorial Union, ceramic pool tiles for Dixon, fabric upholstery for the food court, etc, incorporating concepts from the elements and principles of design they learned during the term. However, Senior Instructor Anna Fidler had a different idea for spring term 2024’s ART 115 class, and in so, created a new OSU art tradition for years to come.
Fidler came across a 2023 article in Beaver’s Digest, an OSU student lifestyle magazine, about steam tunnels that lie underneath OSU. These “hot, dark and damp” tunnels stretch for over three miles from OSU’s Energy Center, criss-crossing the campus transporting electricity, communications, as well as hot and cold water. Despite the utility of having miles of tunnels under campus, conspiracies and gossip surround the concrete maze.
“To many, the tunnels are unknown, but to those who are aware of them, these tunnels bring about a sense of intrigue, mystery or confusion,” wrote Emma Cooke in the Beaver’s Digest. “A lengthy list of conspiracy theories and misconceptions about the history and purpose of the tunnels is traded between students.”
Intrigued by the opportunity to bring art to these cavernous spaces, Fidler reached out to Les Walton, energy operations manager for the Energy Center, inquiring about the possibility of using the tunnels as a place for students to scout potential locations for their final projects. Walton was keen on the idea, but suggested that the final project be a team-oriented contest, where students would collaborate to conceptualize a design. The winning group, voted on by a committee consisting of Fidler, Walton, and Richard Smart, a rare bookbinder and owner of E.C. Rare Books in Vancouver, B.C. with expertise in pattern work, would then have the opportunity to paint their design in the entrance to one of the tunnels.
“It was incredible to see students take their individual ideas and fold them into one collaborative design,” said Fidler. “Some elements of design needed to repeat, creating a pattern, as well as fit the measurements of the tunnel entrance wall. The winning group certainly exemplified all that we asked.”
The group, consisting of Dylan Altemus, Brenna Paddock, Hazel Smith, Oona Tuttle, and Cassidy Vafi, created a design to look like archeological excavation from the perspective of the onlooker, incorporating ancient Greek columns, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and other symbols that brought in elements of the tunnels, e.g. gears to illustrate the industrial nature of the tunnels, lighting bolts representing the energy passing overhead, and a mysterious mist creeping along the ground.
Altemus, a sophomore majoring in digital communication arts, was first to propose to the group the idea of ancient ruins being explored.
“I thought something Indiana Jones-esque would really complement the space, the dark tunnels, fluctuating temperatures, wires and pipes running overhead,” explained Altemus. “To be honest, I was really surprised we won, but it feels great to be able to contribute to OSU’s history with this permanent piece of art.”
The groups spent two weeks working underground priming the cement wall and painting their design. The group met up in the afternoons and sometimes nights to scale the ladder down into the tunnels. To make their time spent painting more fun, each member of the group would create a playlist to play.
“A lot of the learning came from the fact that no one on the team had ever painted a mural or something that large before,” said Paddock, a sophomore majoring in art. “With this collaborative project, we all got the chance to learn new things and solve problems you don't usually run into with other pieces. In addition, I've never painted in collaboration with other people, so that was a learning experience in and of itself.”
After the mural was finished and dry, the entire class congregated underground to commend the winning group on their accomplishment and host a reception; in attendance was OSU President Jayathi Y. Murthy, former Dean of the College of Liberal Arts Larry Rodgers, and Director of the School of Visual, Performing, and Design Arts Peter Swendsen.
“It was moving to witness the group bring together their imaginative concepts and incorporate them into a unified result in such a unique location,” said Swendsen. “Our students eloquently explained their inspiration, process, and collaboration, giving university leaders a special glimpse into their work that made all assembled eager for the continuation of this tradition in the years to come.”
Now, each spring term’s ART 115 class will have the opportunity to paint a mural in the steam tunnels.
“As an educator, I love bringing art into the real world, as well as the collaboration between art and science,” said Fidler. “Now we’ve contributed to OSU’s campus history and created a new tradition for years to come.”
