A few steps away from Cal Poly’s Scout Coffee location, four electrical boxes sit lonely on the tanbark for the campus community to see. Local Central Coast artist Oscar Pearson set out to beautify the campus by painting the utility boxes to represent the land upon which the university rests. “It’s been nice to see […]
Tag: Art
Meet the artists behind the utility box paintings around Cal Poly
All throughout Cal Poly’s campus, colorfully illustrated utility boxes are found along pathways – which has left students to wonder who has been decorating them and why. Campus Facilities sent out newsletters to students Nov. 2021 introducing the opportunity to pitch an idea of what they wanted to paint on a utility box. Once a […]
The art of upcycling: Student-run businesses strive to incorporate sustainable practices
As part of a month-long celebration of sustainability, student vendors participated in Cal Poly Green Campus’ Sustainability Festival in October, selling handmade goods with a mission of promoting local, sustainable fashion. One such vendor was Hope Springer, a graduate student at Cal Poly who makes bottle cap earrings and other jewelry. After meeting former Cal […]
Nonprofit art exhibit organizers advocate for preservation of SLO’s natural landscapes
On Highway 101 just past Avila Valley, the historic Octagon Barn stands as one of the last remnants of the California agricultural past for which San Luis Obispo is known. The Octagon Barn is hard to miss, as its uniqueness in circular shape makes the large, white barn a staple landmark of SLO’s countryside. On […]
Cal Poly Fine Arts Seniors Showcase their Final Projects
For their final project, fine arts seniors have put together art pieces for a show called “Dearest,” showing at the University Art Gallery. Studio Art senior, Mac Wilkinson, is a painter and textile worker who has used the gallery to represent their understanding of gender. The gallery will be open until June 12, 2022.
The top murals to check out in San Luis Obispo
The SLO Art Museum is welcoming another mural to Downtown. Southern artist, Erin LeAnn Mitchell will be visiting the San Luis Obispo area this month to paint a new mural on the side of the museum building. Mitchell will begin painting on Feb. 3 and will reveal the mural on Feb. 23. The mural “Califia […]
“No Rainbows” in Linnaea’s Cafe: sharing local LGBTQ+ experiences through art
Four Cal Poly students are showcasing art form local queer and trans artists in Linnaea’s Cafe during National Pride Month. Cal Poly psychology seniors Ell Hundertmark, Lily Packer, Chloe Fleischer and Lorena Alvarez organized the art exhibit for their senior project. The exhibit began Tuesday, June 1 and will run until Sunday, June 27. The […]
“Everyone was smiling the entire time”: Cal Poly student creates “Bitchin’ DIY Pop-up”
Self-described workaholic and graphic communications junior Mia Lew put the skills she’s learned through her event planning minor into her “Bitchin’ DIY Pop-up” event, meant to bring artists in San Luis Obispo “out of their funk” and back into the art world.
Original Women’s Narrative 2021 continues to empower stories of womxnhood throughout COVID-19
The Gender Equity Center plans to host Original Women’s Narrative (OWN) to share the stories and experiences of womanhood through a fully digital format.
Bringing the studio home: Art students learn to cope with virtual class
For classes taught year-round, professors have had a few quarters to practice teaching in the virtual environment. For classes taught only once a year, however, the virtual teaching space is new. Art and Design Foundation Studies II (ART 103) — a course on color theory — is taught only in winter.
Art and design students share their experience working from home
Andersson likes to work with oil paints, which can be toxic to breathe. She has to paint outside because she no longer had access to the Cal Poly Art studios, or any other properly ventilated areas, anymore.

