Recently, the back street wall behind the No. 1 Teaching Building of Xiangtan Institute of Technology has become quite “trendy.” The vibrant murals have transformed this previously “ugly” cement wall from an overlooked “ugly duckling” into a passerby-admired “swan,” exuding a fashionable style and youthful energy where technology and culture intertwine. During their free time, students flock to “check in” at this spot.

Viral Posts Spark Inspiration for Campus Murals

At the “Project-Based” Education and Teaching Reform Conference, Xiangtan Institute of Technology emphasized the need to “fully promote project-based education and teaching reform, and vigorously cultivate CFAP innovative talents.” Faced with new circumstances and practicing new concepts, what kind of projects can the School of Humanities and Arts, with its strengths in literature and history, initiate to explore student practice through a “project-based” educational approach?

Last month, the People’s Daily official account published the story of Lin Xiaoyan, a post-95 girl, leading a mural creation team to empower rural revitalization. Once the article was released, its readership quickly surged to over 100,000 views. After reading it carefully, Long Chaonan, Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Arts and person in charge of student affairs, was exhilarated, reigniting her “mural dream.”

“We have the foundation, experience, and skills. Why not create a ‘Mural Street’ for the school through murals, thereby initiating a ‘project-based’ educational exploration in student affairs,” she suggested. In November last year, teachers and students from the School of Humanities and Arts conducted mural work in Hetang Village, Yueliang District, Xiangtan City, covering an area of over 150 square meters. The final result was not only particularly loved by the villagers but also received a “Thank You Letter” from the village committee and was widely reported by multiple media outlets.

Responding enthusiastically, a mural execution team named the School of Humanities and Arts “Colorful Practice Team” was quickly formed, with Chen Jiayan, a student from Animation Class 2201, appointed as the team leader responsible for the daily management and progress of the mural projects.

From Boundless Imagination to a Colorful Blueprint

Choosing where to paint is a significant consideration for a brand-new university. Since its inauguration in 2020, Xiangtan Institute of Technology has seen rapid development in both software and hardware, with continuous upgrades. Selecting a suitable location for mural experiments is indeed challenging. Behind the No. 1 Teaching Building (formerly the No. 1 Teaching Building of Geely Vocational Institute) lies an old cement wall that had remained “dormant” for a long time. This wall separates the teaching building from the undeveloped Aishantou, serving as a safety barrier for passersby. After a work discussion with the person in charge of student affairs, the “Colorful Practice Team” deemed this wall an ideal place to “showcase their skills.”

To turn an old campus wall into a “viral wall,” deciding “what to paint” is a critical question. Since Xiangtan Institute of Technology is hosted by Geely Holding Group, how about painting a car on it? How about visualizing the positive energy conveyed by popular songs? Soon, the “Colorful Practice Team” drafted a “‘Colorful Road’ Wall Beautification Project Plan,” setting the main theme of the murals to “showcase the school’s style and highlight youthful vitality.” Through several brainstorming sessions, questions like “what to paint,” “how to paint,” and “what kind of effect to achieve” were ultimately resolved in the plan.

Following the processes of approval and procurement, with the support of school and relevant department leaders, the “Colorful Practice Team” worked diligently to turn their imaginative ideas into vibrant actions.

Overcoming Challenges to Ensure Quality and Timely Completion

Work began on a sunny afternoon. The “Colorful Practice Team” started the “renovation project” on the fifty-meter-long and over two-meter-high wall. Facing a gray cement wall, the team initially didn’t know where to begin. The leading teacher rolled up her sleeves, picked up a roller, dipped it in latex paint, and started brushing the wall. After a few rounds, the wall began to whiten. Encouraged by the progress, the team members started working energetically. Unexpectedly, the wall, which was budgeted to be completed with one bucket of paint, only received a rough surface coating, and the paint bucket was emptied.

In a hurry, everyone drove to a specialty store to repurchase the paint. Rushing against time, they managed to buy two more buckets of paint before sunset and continued the mural work. The next day, the wall’s whitening and finishing touches continued. Persistence paid off; after several rounds of consolidation, the entire cement wall looked as smooth as if it had been plastered.

“After a day of being bitten by mosquitoes and bees, nothing could stop our progress!” shared a member of the “Colorful Practice Team” on social media. That morning, a team member was stung by a bee while painting, leaving her hand swollen and painful. During the painting period, due to the wall being adjacent to a forest and not cleaned for a long time, mosquitoes and insects were abundant, posing constant challenges to the painting team.

“The most dreaded is rainy days!” Rainy weather caused repeated delays in the mural schedule, making the team members anxious.

“If we can finish a day earlier, we cannot afford to be a day late!” Team leader Chen Jiayan supervised the mural’s quality while collaborating with team members to expedite the construction progress.

### Confidently Creating Stunning Scenery

The murals gradually transformed into refreshing scenes with imaginative creativity through the collective efforts of the team. Designs included a dynamic “punk-style” car, a playful and interactive “WeChat chat box,” a warm and three-dimensional “little red flower,” a “hidden wing” with a jungle-themed interface, a technologically vibrant “wheel hub,” and an intelligent, colorful “tangram” puzzle. A warm mural slogan, “Light will ultimately shine upon you, and you will shine brilliantly,” conveyed heartfelt emotions to passersby.

“Awesome! Our Xiangtan Institute of Technology now has murals!” “Wow, I was just complimenting the School of Humanities and Arts’ mural project with students from Class Leifeng!” “Beautiful! NICE!” After sharing the mural achievements on social platforms, team members received an avalanche of recognition and likes.

“This is the first mural wall we’ve created on campus. In the future, we aim to make more walls colorful.” Seeing their handmade work fully recognized by everyone, the “Colorful Practice Team” members were exceptionally happy. “This mural practice not only honed our professional skills but also enhanced our teamwork abilities. Additionally, experiencing the final completed work gave us a sense of accomplishment. This is probably the immense charm of ‘project-based’ education!”

The colorful murals are not only beautiful expressions but also reflections of confidence and a means to inherit and promote excellent traditional culture. “Next, we can establish a mural studio to accumulate the ‘depth’ of mural painting through continuous practice, producing more results and making the ‘Colorful Road’ go further! Perhaps in the future, we can also use murals as a medium to carry out the ‘Hundred Villages Project,’ making hundreds of villages more beautiful and vibrant, injecting more aesthetic enjoyment into the villagers’ lives, and showcasing the inherent value of our university’s ‘project-based’ education in cultivating talents and serving society!” a sunny noon found the “Colorful Practice Team” members sitting together, envisioning the future.

**Practice Sharing from the “Colorful Practice Team” Members**

**Chen Jiayan, Animation Class 2201**

As the student leader of the No. 1 Teaching Building’s cultural wall mural project, I deeply experienced the challenges and joys during the project practice. From the project’s initiation to the final presentation, every step was filled with challenges and rewards. During the preparation phase, our team conducted in-depth research to ensure that the design plan both matched the school’s cultural atmosphere and could stimulate students’ artistic interests. During the construction process, we overcame various difficulties such as weather and material shortages.

This experience made me realize that art is not just an exhibition of beauty but also a communication of the soul. Seeing the once monotonous walls transform into vibrant and lively murals made me feel proud and satisfied. Watching teachers and students stop to admire and even participate in the mural creation was heartwarming. This was not only a campus beautification action but also a practice of art education. This experience not only trained my organizational and coordination skills but also deepened my understanding and love for mural art. In the future, I will continue to dedicate myself to integrating art into life, allowing more people to feel the power of beauty.

**Xue Langling, Animation Class 2201**

This mural activity was a unique and enjoyable experience for me. During the painting process, I felt the charm of art and the release of creativity. Each brushstroke required careful planning to perfectly present the envisioned scene on the wall. From selecting colors to outlining contours and filling in details, every step was challenging. Watching the originally plain wall gradually become vibrant and colorful filled me with a sense of achievement. Additionally, collaborating and exchanging ideas with my teammates made the process even more enjoyable. Mural painting not only added artistic flair to the space but also allowed me to grow and gain confidence through creation.

**Yao Ming, Animation Class 2201**

For me, mural painting is a unique artistic journey. From the initial conception of the pattern, it felt like weaving a beautiful dream in my mind. Every line and color had to be carefully considered as they would bloom on the wall. Picking up the brush and dipping it in paint to lay down the first stroke brought a mix of excitement and anticipation that remains unforgettable. The painting process wasn’t easy; holding the brush for long periods caused arm soreness, and paint often stained my clothes. However, seeing the once dull wall come to life under my hands made all the hard work worthwhile.

Mural painting requires patience; a small mistake can affect the overall outcome, so complete focus is essential. Moreover, teamwork is crucial. During the mural process, clear division of labor and cooperation significantly increased efficiency. The completed mural feels like our creation—it’s not just decoration but also a transmission of art that brings beauty and joy to those who see it. This feeling made me fall in love with mural painting deeply.

 **Jin Qin, Animation Class 2201**

The process of painting the cultural wall behind the No. 1 Teaching Building was a unique and unforgettable experience for me. When the brush touched the wall, it seemed to breathe new life into the campus. From designing the patterns, we were passionate about showcasing the school’s vitality and culture. The painting process wasn’t easy, requiring us to stand for long periods, but no one complained. Watching the once monotonous wall transform into a vibrant and colorful canvas was an indescribable sense of accomplishment.

Every stroke of color on the wall is an expression of our love for the school, and every pattern embodies the team’s wisdom. We used mural painting to add an artistic atmosphere to the campus, allowing passing students to appreciate its beauty. This mural painting not only honed my drawing skills but also taught me the power of teamwork and enhanced my sense of belonging to the school. I will always cherish this special experience.

 **Liu Xu, Animation Class 2201**

During the mural painting process, whenever faced with a blank wall, I felt both excited and nervous. Perfectly presenting my creativity wasn’t easy. Matching colors and ensuring the smoothness of lines often left me frustrated. When the painting didn’t turn out as expected or when mistakes occurred, I felt like giving up. However, after some reflection, I decided not to let these setbacks defeat me. I began to patiently adjust, gradually regaining my creative flow.

This process made me realize that mural painting is not only an expression of art but also a spirit of perseverance. With every brushstroke, I was having a dialogue with my inner self, learning to accept imperfections and strive for improvement. Finally, when I saw the complete mural, I felt immense joy and satisfaction. I understood that only by persisting to the end can one achieve beautiful results. I am grateful to the school for providing us with this opportunity for practice and growth.