A new mural is going up in the Hall of Fame which connects McLeod Center to the UNI-Dome at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls. Peter Colver is in charge of installing the artwork commissioned last year from local artist Gary Kelley. Colver says the mural Kelly created is 13 paintings ranging from six to 12 feet high, each depicting a sport at UNI.
Colver says Kelly designed the shapes and Colver created panels using plywood and pine to handle the shapes and make the paintings appear to come off the wall. Colver says the panels will appear to float in the air.
He says they’re mounting the panels to a wall that is over a stairwell without fasteners or brackets, so the paintings appear to hover without any visible sign of mounting. Colver says the mounting process adds to the artwork. Colver says having the paintings come off the wall seems to add to their energy and motion and shape. Colver says all athletes will find something that represents their sport, everything from women’s softball, to swimming and golf, and he says they tie together very nicely. Colver says the mural will be noticed by everyone who goes by.
He says the east side of the concourse is all glass and at night with the lighting it will be a "dynamic presentation." The Hall of Fame will be officially dedicated during UNI’s Homecoming festivities on Saturday, Oct. 13.