McNeil’s mural depicts Christian themes. Christian iconography of the cross, lamb, wine, and dove appear in the composition. The design subverts classical Christian art by inserting everyday Black people in stained-glass style, instead of highly stylized, white saints. McNeil took pride in painting the first cross in Hannah Hall.
Cleinmann's mural reflects the past, present, and future, with an emphasis on the importance of Black women. This is a manifestation of Dr. Biggers’ teachings. This mural is one of few unfinished murals left standing in Hannah Hall; typically, unfinished murals would be painted over to allow another student to decorate the wall.
Across two panels, separated by a mural, Oliver’s mural uses crosshatched, dark green hues to depict a woman and child (together) and a man (separate). Almost all art students painted only one mural; Oliver was an exception. Because of his enthusiasm and talent, he painted several murals, often using small spaces between other students’ works.
Ross' mural captures a snapshot of Black rural life in the twentieth century. Outside, two men are ranching, while others play checkers on the porch. Inside, one woman is cooking in the kitchen while another cares for a child in bed. The composition also highlights the gendered division of labor, and how women’s work is often pushed to the margins.
Across two panels, separated by a mural, Oliver’s mural uses crosshatched, dark green hues to depict a woman and child (together) and a man (separate). Almost all art students painted only one mural; Oliver was an exception. Because of his enthusiasm and talent, he painted several murals, often using small spaces between other students’ works.
Gaston Micheaux, was a war veteran who was given the opportunity in his first year of study to paint a mural. Reflecting on the devastation of the most recent world war, three panels depict terror, hunger, and human compassion. A scared, Black woman with children evokes the mid-20th century atmosphere of threat to Black life in America.
Taylor's mural captures a snapshot of Houston’s Third Ward in the mid-20th century. An ad for Big Mama Thornton’s Harlem Stars’ performance at City Auditorium indicates that Houston is the setting. The scene is a busy and varied one; people in various sorts of dress walk around, while children play in the streets and a derelict man sits by a tree.
abstract, includes cigarette, cocktail glass, eyeballs, an amorphous form (possibly uterus), syringes inscribed MVCII and Zafina B, blue green - no damage