Newberry College launches student mural competition for fitness center

Newberry College is inviting elementary, middle, and high school students throughout Newberry County to showcase their creativity through the Strength in Community Mural Competition, a community initiative that will transform student artwork into a permanent installation inside the Newberry College Fitness Center.

Hosted in partnership with the Newberry County School District, the competition provides young artists the opportunity to design a mural that celebrates movement, wellness, and the power of community while leaving a lasting impact on the College campus. Students may participate individually or as part of a team.

Centered on the theme “Strength in Community,” the competition encourages students to explore the connections between fitness, perseverance, inclusion, teamwork, and school pride through original artwork. Designs should reflect positive energy and inspiration while celebrating healthy lifestyles and the role the community plays in personal success.

“The Strength in Community Newberry mural competition is an opportunity to celebrate the incredible creativity of students throughout our community while creating a meaningful work of art that will inspire generations of students to come,” said Molly Gutterud, Vice President of Marketing at Newberry College. “We hope this project encourages young artists to see how their talents can strengthen and enrich the places where we live, learn, and grow.”

“Art gives students the opportunity to express their ideas, tell their stories, and make a meaningful impact beyond the classroom,” said Laura Clark, District Arts Coordinator for the School District of Newberry County. “This partnership with Newberry College allows our young artists to see how their creativity can inspire others while celebrating wellness, inclusion, and the strength of our community. We look forward to seeing the incredible talent our students will bring to this project.”

Artwork may be created using a variety of traditional or digital mediums and should be accompanied by a brief artist statement describing the inspiration behind the design. Entries will be evaluated on creativity, originality, alignment with the competition theme, visual impact, feasibility, and the artist statement.

The winning design(s) will be professionally adapted into a permanent mural inside the Newberry College Fitness Center, with the winning student or student team recognized during the unveiling celebration and invited to participate in the mural installation process. Finalists will be announced Oct. 20, and the winning design will be revealed Nov. 1.

The competition is open to students enrolled in Newberry County elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as homeschool students residing in Newberry County. Submissions open Aug. 15 and are due by Oct. 10.

The College is also inviting local businesses, individuals, and organizations to support the initiative through sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship levels begin at $250 and include recognition through event signage, promotional materials, social media, and the mural unveiling ceremony. Presenting sponsors contributing $1,000 or more will receive premium recognition, an invitation to the unveiling event, and the opportunity to present the award to the winning artist. Community banks, art supply retailers, foundations, fitness organizations, and other businesses committed to youth engagement and community wellness are encouraged to participate.

Complete competition guidelines, submission requirements, and sponsorship opportunities are available at newberry.edu/mural-competition.