Cornish Students Bring Sketches to Life with 'Making Murals' Class

Vibrant murals now cover the walls of the Cornish Cafe, transforming the space and showcasing student talent.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 12:39am

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A new class at Cornish College of the Arts called 'Making Murals' is giving students the opportunity to create and paint large public artwork themed around the idea of 'ecosystems of place.' The 15-week course teaches students about the history of mural making, how to modify designs for certain surfaces, and the process of pitching proposals to a jury. Though only three proposals were chosen, every student in the course participated in the mural making, with those whose designs were rejected being assigned to a team to help with painting the final murals. The resulting vibrant murals now cover the walls of the Cornish Cafe, breathing life into the space and catching the eye of passersby.

Why it matters

The 'Making Murals' class provides Cornish students with valuable real-world experience in public art, teaching them skills like proposal writing, working with a team, and adapting their designs for a specific space. The murals themselves have also transformed the Cornish Cafe, creating a visually striking and engaging environment for the campus community and beyond.

The details

The 'Making Murals' class was offered for the first time last semester and was taught by Cable Griffith, a professor at Cornish. The course consisted of three distinct phases: in the first phase, students learned about the history of mural making and created imaginary murals for real locations; in the second phase, students had to draw up a mural with the theme of 'ecosystems of place' and present their proposals to a jury; and in the final five weeks, those whose designs were rejected were assigned to a team to help with painting the final murals. The theme of 'ecosystems of place' was created by the students themselves, allowing them to represent the connections, creative fields, and shared experiences that create life at Cornish and in its physical surroundings.

  • The 'Making Murals' class was offered for the first time last semester.
  • The 15-week class consisted of three distinct phases, with the final five weeks dedicated to painting the selected murals.

The players

Cornish College of the Arts

A private art and design college located in Seattle, Washington.

Cable Griffith

A professor at Cornish College of the Arts who taught the 'Making Murals' class.

Perla Hernandez

A third-year Cornish student and the mural artist who created one of the murals.

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What they’re saying

“We didn't have anything at Cornish that really focused on something students could take outside of a gallery.”

— Cable Griffith, Professor, Cornish College of the Arts

“I began to imagine the kind of ecosystem that makes Cornish, the students, faculty and objects that shape it. At the same time, it's surrounded by a larger ecosystem: the city itself.”

— Perla Hernandez, Mural Artist and Third-Year Cornish Student

“It really stands out. Without it, the space would feel kind of boring.”

— Olivia Majors, First-Year Pre-Business Major, Seattle University

What’s next

The murals will remain a permanent feature of the Cornish campus, continuing to transform the Cornish Cafe and inspire the campus community.

The takeaway

The 'Making Murals' class at Cornish College of the Arts provides students with valuable real-world experience in public art, teaching them skills like proposal writing, teamwork, and adapting their designs for a specific space. The resulting vibrant murals have not only transformed the Cornish Cafe, but also showcase the talent and creativity of Cornish students.