Terp-to-Terp Mural

Abstract

My capstone project is an environmental themed indoor mural. It will be located in the hallway next to Terp-to-Terp Campus ReUse Store’s location in the basement of Harford Hall. Terp-to-Terp is a program at the University of Maryland that facilitates donation and distribution of secondhand goods like clothes, appliances, and decor on campus. Many students, however, are currently unaware of their mission and the environmental benefits of shopping secondhand. To address this, the mural will be visible to residents of the entire Washington Quad as it is next to the mail and laundry rooms for this community. Advocating for sustainable alternatives like Terp-to-Terp is crucial given the negative impacts overconsumption and improper disposal of goods have on the environment.  

During the course of this project, I have conducted research on the effectiveness of public art in promoting environmentalism as well as the impact that programs like Terp-to-Terp can have on the communities around them. Scholars agree that public art is a powerful tool for inspiring action in viewers – provoking strong emotions, making complex topics more digestible, and increasing visibility of certain issues (Branagan 36, Hansen 134). By installing this mural, I aim to increase exposure for Terp-to-Terp, encourage students to utilize this amenity, and promote sustainable habits in the campus community.