When I walked into the Honors Center on the first day of my freshman year of college, I was greeted by a large primed canvas. On that canvas was a willow tree on a background of cool blues and purples that put me at ease, but it also stuck out with a stark circle of reds, oranges, and yellows. I was intrigued by this art that greets us upon entrance into our collective space. Just from the few weeks I’ve spent here at Gannon I have seen firsthand just how special the Honors Center is. The discussions I’ve had, the people I’ve met, and the hours I have spent in this space have given me a unique look into my next four years of endless learning. And now, senior Katie Dickey has given us a mural to encourage, calm, and stimulate us during our journeys.

“One full day, dawn to evening” were her exact words when asked how long it took to create. Painted using heavyweight acrylic and mural paint, and a brush pen, “Wild Willow” transports us with its message of serenity and flexibility. Katie’s vision for the painting was to “paint something that can bend and adapt, like our community has during COVID. The willow tree was a natural fit. I feel that I achieved my vision.” I would have no qualms about agreeing with her.

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I stared at this painting intently during my first viewing. Among other things, the hot air balloon painted as a globe stood out to me. This was a specific point I was sure to ask the artist about. The response I received gave me a perspective I hadn’t considered, and I was glad to have been awarded it. “Our global focus as an honors community pulls us upwards to a higher standard. Sort of like a camera, we learn to zoom out and get away from our own little worlds. I chose the hot air balloon because of its ability to pull up and “zoom” out its rider’s frame of reference.”

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For Katie, art is a “medium for starting conversations and exploring concepts and feelings that can be hard to articulate with words.” One of the conversations she thought about when painting this piece is represented through the bold warm colors on the cool background. Representing the “vibrant nature of our community” the sun is bright and portrays one of Katie’s main beliefs that “it is okay to be different- it is okay to be your creative self.”

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If you have not been to the Honors Center recently or have not looked up upon entering, I strongly encourage you to go see our mural. And if you see Katie Dickey, thank her for the beautiful mural she has gifted us. Begin a conversation about it, view it, or just be around the “Wild Willow” and appreciate the serene environment it creates.

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