Under the bright lights of Purcell Pavilion, seven young artists from the Robinson Community Learning Center (RCLC) stepped onto the court, their faces beaming with pride. In their hands, they carried more than just a mural—they carried a symbol of creativity, collaboration, and community.

An oil pastel piece, inspired by Artist Romare Bearden, was created by the young artists in honor of Black History Month. The RCLC students proudly presented their mural to Notre Dame Athletics during Wednesday night’s game against SMU.

JP Abercrumbie, Executive Associate Athletics Director of Culture, Engagement, & Civic Innovation, was among the representatives accepting the piece on behalf of Notre Dame Athletics during the first timeout of the game.

"It’s an incredible honor to showcase the talent and creativity of these students during such a special moment," says Abercrumbie.

“We are grateful for the partnership with RCLC and are thankful to the young artists who shared this piece with us. Receiving this gift from them and experiencing their joy as they encountered the pageantry of a game day was such a moving moment. Representation matters—it empowers them to see their creativity and self-expression reflected in the world around them.”

The mural represents more than just a single piece of art—it’s part of a larger initiative at RCLC, using creativity as a platform for learning and connection. Through the after-school tutoring program, students first studied the artistic contributions of Romare Bearden before creating their own individual sections of the mural.

Their efforts came together in a 36”x44” masterpiece, unveiled for the first time on the court. They were surrounded by Notre Dame cheerleaders and the leprechaun, and even got high fives from Dick Corbett Head Football Coach Marcus Freeman.

“This project is such a great example of how the Robinson Center deepens connections between the University and the greater community,” says Clare Roach, associate director of RCLC.

“Thanks to a special invitation from Notre Dame Athletics, these students not only learned about art and history but also had the opportunity to share their work with a wider audience.“

The mural was signed by all of the young artists involved, and included a special message to Notre Dame Athletics and its Together Irish initiative.

“This is exactly what Together Irish is all about: education, engagement, and enrichment,” adds Abercrumbie.

Notre Dame Athletics plans to hang the mural in the Joyce Center as a symbol of their ongoing commitment to sustainable progress and change.

Originally published by Colleen Wilcox at publicaffairs.nd.edu on February 24, 2025.