New mural adds color to the campus landscape

Written by  Shannon Thomason

Pedestrian mural 1000Students in UAB’s Bloom Studio, run by Associate Professor Doug Barrett, paint the mural on the pedestrian bridge that crosses University Boulevard at 13th Avenue South.

A new mural in soft shades of green and gold now brightens a popular pathway on campus.

The flora-inspired mural is painted inside the heavily traveled pedestrian bridge that crosses University Boulevard at 13th Avenue South. Students and visitors often stop atop the bridge to snap a selfie with the city and campus as background. It is a signature moment on campus tours for prospective students, and the mural makes this spot even more Insta-worthy.

The mural, titled “Flourish,” was designed by Sara Wood, a student in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Art and Art History, to reflect UAB ideals of prospering, growth and flowering while supporting conservation and the importance of the natural world.

Part of a set

It is one of two new murals UAB has introduced for its 50th anniversary, including a portable UAB Blazer dragon wings mural that will live in the UAB Campus Visit Center when not traveling. Both murals were commissioned by University Relations.

University Relations artist Rachel Hendrix, a 2018 alumna, designed portable dragon wings for the Office of Undergraduate AdmissionsUniversity Relations artist Rachel Hendrix designed the portable dragon wings.

Wood and fellow students in the department’s Bloom Studio group painted the bridge mural. Bloom Studio, run by Associate Professor Doug Barrett, enables graphic design students to gain experience working directly with regional clients, local nonprofits and under-served communities. His class of 20 students pitched designs, and students selected their three favorites; University Relations made the final selection.

University Relations artist Rachel Hendrix, a 2018 alumna, designed the portable dragon wings for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to use to showcase the UAB brand and spirit at its regional events. 

















Discover 11 outdoor oases hiding in plain sight

Discover 11 outdoor oases hiding in plain sight

It’s easy to think the only jungle around campus is the concrete kind. But you can find a little-known green space closest to where you work, live and play using this Google Map we created just for you.

Read more



3 walking trails show off UAB’s outdoor public art collection

3 walking trails show off UAB’s outdoor public art collection

UAB’s campus is home to more than 35 statues or sculptures, and each trail takes about 30 minutes or fewer to walk. The trails can be viewed on a specialized Google Map, created by the UAB Reporter to provide additional details about the art and artists.

Read more