Two Murals in Two Weeks Inspire Two Communities

Boston-based artist and musician Alex Cook spent the week before spring break, which turned out to be the semester’s final week of in-person classes, on the College campus creating a YOU ARE LOVED mural in the student lounge. Community members joined in the work as they were able to. The following week, Cook worked with boys at the Illinois Youth Center–Pere Marquette, a correctional facility, to create another mural (pictured below).

These murals are the 70th and 71st in Cook’s nationwide YOU ARE LOVED project, which began in 2014. Illinois is the 13th state to have one (or more) of Cook’s murals.

While on campus, Cook also gave a concert and spoke with students in several art and music classes. His visit was sponsored by the College's Christian Science Organization (CSO) and the Music Department.

Following Cook’s week painting with boys at the correctional facility, CSO President Hannah Hathaway, a senior, received an email with this expression of gratitude for Cook and the College: "Thank you again for your time, patience, and the care you showed toward our youth. Those memories will last a lifetime! Sincerest gratitude also goes to Principia College for their generosity and ensuring that the boys received such a priceless gift!"

See the time-lapse video of the College’s mural being completed. The video features Cook’s song “God Made Us,” from his album Arrival, available at alexcookmusic.com.