A previously blank retaining wall at Piedmont University has a new look. Local artist Nick “Nack” Morris joined forces with students from Piedmont University’s art department to bring vibrant creativity to Demorest. It is a captivating mural and it is what everyone is talking about.
Visual celebration
The mural, painted during the first full week of November, serves as a visual celebration of the diverse art disciplines studied by students at Piedmont University. From painting to drawing and acting, the mural showcases the myriad forms of artistic expression crafted by talented individuals. Morris, alongside a group of art students, offered their skills to transform the once-blank retaining wall into a colorful tapestry of creativity.
Morris initiated the project when he shared his past works with the university’s art students in October. Piedmont University Art professor Rebecca Brantley explained how the collaborative process began. She said Morris and the students worked together to create the mural’s design.
Collaborative Effort
Each student involved in the project contributed drawings representing various disciplines within the art department. Morris then integrated these diverse ideas into a cohesive and visually striking mural design.
Morris, a local artist with a recent exhibit at the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art in Demorest, has gained recognition for his large-scale works on unconventional canvases, such as buses and buildings. Notably, his murals on buses at the “bus graveyard” on Crane Mill Road have become a focal point, attracting artists from across the country for an annual gathering.
Artistry of Morris
In Habersham County, Morris’s mural artistry graces numerous locations, including the Copper Pot restaurant in Clarkesville and the Hollow Log frame shop in Cornelia.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Professor Brantley expressed the students’ enthusiasm for working with Morris, stating, “Our students enjoyed working with Nick. We’re excited to have it on campus.”
The new mural not only enhances the visual appeal of the university’s landscape but also stands as a testament to the combined creative spirit between local artists and the budding talents of Piedmont University’s art department. As the vibrant mural unfolds its story, it adds another chapter to the rich tapestry of artistic expression woven within Habersham County.
