Colors of Compassion

By Laura J. Veach

Austin College students, faculty, staff, and alumni were joined by Sherman residents to complete a colorful mural at local nonprofit Grand Central Station. The collaborative, paint-by-numbers-style project represents the services that Grand Central Station offers to community members in need, including groceries, school supplies, laundry and shower facilities, and more.

The community project was inspired by the 2024 Posey Leadership Award recipient Rick Lowe. Lowe is a Houston-based artist and activist who has worked with communities around the world to use art as a springboard for social understanding. Perhaps best known as the founder of Houston’s Project Row Houses, his practice is rooted in working with members of a community to address and resolve social issues.

Coincidentally, Austin College students had been planning a mural with Grand Central Station back in spring 2020, when the project was shelved due to COVID. The students who led the 2024 Posey Leader-in-Residence events, Nick Estes ’24 and Pedro Echeverria ’26, were inspired to resurrect the project as an opportunity to practice the principles they were learning from Lowe.

The 10’ X 50’ mural was designed by Maddie Wilson ’23, Assistant Director of Graphic Design and Production for Austin College. Mike Goolsby ’87, owner of Roberts Decorator Supply, generously donated paint and supplies for the project.

“Creating this mural was a challenge, as I’ve never done anything so big before,” said Wilson, “but I am so pleased with how it turned out and especially that it attracted so much community involvement. I hope people will drive past and think about how they helped make this happen for many years to come.”

The mural can be viewed at 619 E. Houston Street, Sherman, Texas.