The University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s entrance from Asher Avenue has gotten a mural makeover – with a little paint and some elbow grease.

Ricky Sikes, instructor of drawing and painting in the Department of Art and Design, and a  handful of student and faculty volunteers have spruced up the 9-foot wall that runs 180 feet along the south side of University Plaza.

The weather-worn wall got a fresh coat of gray paint, and Sikes and his crew added maroon lettering that says “UA Little Rock Home of the Trojans.” An adjacent 54-foot wall facing Campus Drive reads “since 1927.”  Klansee Tozer, senior graphic designer in the Office of Communications and Marketing, designed the mural. The four-foot letters and the Trojan head can easily be seen by passing motorists on Asher Avenue.

The group began painting on April 28 but got delayed because of rain.

Rebecca Farhat, a junior nursing student; Carly Berbarian, a senior art student, Julian Francour, and professor Michael Warrick all helped with painting.

Art instructor Ricky Sikes and student Rebecca Farhat paint maroon lettering on the concerete wall facing Asher Avenue near the university’s south entrance. Photo by Benjamin Krain