Master of Arts student collaborates across campus to uplift fellow students

A year after the Kaleidoscope and Women’s Center opened, Master of Arts student, Hallie Fedorowicz, is working with the Office of Inclusive Excellence to create murals in both spaces. 

At the beginning of the school year, she met with Tahalia McGowan, associate director of the Office of Inclusive Excellence, to discuss the best way to represent the centers. “For the Women’s Center, I wanted to create a mural that uplifted women by highlighting their strength and intelligence,” Fedorowicz said.

To illustrate her point, she chose five powerful women for the mural: Malala Yousafzai, Lydia Moss Bradley, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, and Michelle Obama. The women were chosen for their advocacy and dedication to women’s rights issues. Within the design, Fedorowicz embedded a quote from Obama: “There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.” 

“I want all women who come through the center to feel empowered and reminded of their worth every day,” Fedorowicz said. 

For the Kaleidoscope Center mural, she reached out to Central Illinois Friends (CIF), a local nonprofit that supports people living with HIV and vulnerable community members, to see if they would be interested in sponsoring the project. After meeting with CIF Public Relations and Marketing Manager Selena Pappas and Executive Director Deric Kimler to explain the meaning behind the project, the organization chose to fund it in its entirety.

“We are really excited to work with Hallie and Bradley on this project. Bradley and their students are a big part of our community here in Peoria, and we must make sure that marginalized voices are heard now more than ever,” said Pappas. 

The Kaleidoscope design depicts five representatives from the queer community. Each of the characters are outlined with colors representative of queer flags to represent different sexual and gender identities. Fedorowicz invented figures relatable enough for students to see themselves depicted in the painting.  

Similar to the Women’s Center mural, the Kaleidoscope design features a quote—this one from Harvey Milk, the first openly gay politician to be elected to public office. “Hope will never be silent” is meant to empower individuals to fight for equality. 

Fedorowicz is not the only student working on the murals. When she learned about Hallie’s designs for the centers, painting professor Heather Brammeier offered to incorporate the project into her mural painting class. 

“I love working with the students and faculty here at Bradley,” Fedorowicz said. “Everyone has been so helpful with uplifting my art and providing guidance and help.” As a queer student on campus, she said she felt a close connection to the project, and it reflects what she aspires to do as an artist. 

For Brammeier, helping with the mural has been one of the easiest and most fulfilling moments from her time at Bradley. “I feel so lucky that I was included because it’s helping; it’s helping my students, and it’s helping the whole community.”

Fedorowicz shared why the piece was so important to her now more than ever. “I have always wanted to create a piece for Bradley, and I want my art to have meaning and inspire hope. The political scene for the LGBTQ+ and women's community has had its ups and downs recently, and creating these murals has given me an outlet to air my frustrations and celebrate the victories.” 

McGowan hopes all stakeholders at Bradley feel empowered when they see the murals. “The murals serve as a visual representation of empowerment, advocacy, and inclusivity. By celebrating the diverse identities, experiences, and contributions of women and gender-diverse individuals, the mural reinforces Bradley’s commitment to gender equity and creating a campus environment where everyone feels valued and supported.”

To keep up with Fedorowicz’s work and progress photos of the mural, follow her on Instagram @hfedora_art. To follow the Art and Design Department and see student work, follow @bradleyartanddesign.

—Adalia Yeung, junior journalism and political science major