New Mural Reflects Students’ Journeys
Local artist helps students redecorate Stonehill College’s Multicultural Lounge.
A landscape architect and painter by trade, ponnapa prakkamakul realizes the importance of properly maintaining settings where students live and learn.
“I know that the physical design of the campus can really help shape the way they think, act and lead,” she said.
The artist, whose work often focuses on the relationship between humans and their environments, has spent several months working with students on a beautification project initiated by the Office of Intercultural Affairs. They have painted a mural in the Multicultural Lounge, where students engage in activities designed to affirm the differences that make them unique.
The work was commissioned by Director of Intercultural Affairs Kristine Din after she read an article about a 150-foot mural in Boston’s Chinatown that was designed by prakkamakul.
“I adore that work because it was a collaborative project,” Din said. “ponnapa worked with the Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC) and its youth group’s members to design and create it.”
Din reached out to the artist in the hopes that she might be able to replicate the creative experience enjoyed by the ACDC’s youth for Stonehill students.
“I am glad our students have been given this unique opportunity to collectively create something that is hopefully representative of their campus,” she said. “I always talk about community and how much of myself and my work is rooted in it. I hope this experience of being in community with one another is meaningful, joyful and fun for everyone.”
ponnapa prakkamakul and Grace Smrek '26 discuss their work on the mural.
Emersyn Kelter '25 shows off her artistic skills.
Sean Onesty '26 does his part to help enhance the Multicultural Lounge.
Stonehill students joined prakkamakul in March 2023 to create the art that now decorates their lounge. The mural they designed is inspired by stories that they shared with prakkamakul during workshops held this academic year, including tales about their personal experiences, their favorite spots on campus and other topics. The students also gave the muralist tours of campus so she could familiarize herself with the locations mentioned in their chats.
“One thing that everyone mentioned during our workshops was how much they love Stonehill’s landscape,” prakkamakul said. “The mural exhibits the beauty of the campus during different times of the day and the year, from morning to night and spring through winter.”
The changing landscape represents students’ journeys throughout their time at Stonehill, particularly as they pertain to the friendships that they form during their college years. The piece also features several Easter eggs throughout that are specific to Stonehill’s culture, including shovels and clocks, among others.
“The meandering paths cross and overlap with each other to represent how this place is where paths cross and people can become friends,” prakkamakul said.
Stephen Cobbs ’23 is one of the students who helped paint the mural. He said that collaborating with other peers was his favorite part of working on this project.
“Seeing students help develop such a lasting and meaningful piece made me feel like all of the hard work was worth it,” he said. “It made me forever grateful to Kristine Din and the rest of the OIA team for their efforts in making sure that such a safe space will be here for our students.”
When asked what he thinks of the final product, Cobbs praised the piece of art.
“I truly feel it transforms the lounge into such a positive and safe space, and I feel incredibly blessed to help leave a physical mark on the Stonehill community.”
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Stonehill Senior Honored by Faculty of Color Association
Sadé Ratliff ’23 has been recognized for her commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
