Signarama Rivercities Brings Marshall University's Vision to Life with Stunning New Smith Hall Mural

Visitors to Marshall University's campus are now greeted by a breathtaking new mural covering the west face of Evelyn Holbrook Smith Music Hall—a vibrant work of art that celebrates the university's rich history, dynamic present, and limitless future. For Signarama Rivercities, the installation represents more than another successful project. It marks the first completed project under our newly awarded contract to serve Marshall University's academic campus, making it a milestone we're incredibly proud to be part of. Designed by acclaimed artist Nichole Westfall, the impressive 51-foot by 35-foot mural transforms the exterior of Smith Hall into a colorful landmark that reflects Marshall's identity and vision. The artwork incorporates symbolism representing the university's six interdisciplinary pillars of excellence, creating a visual story that connects students, faculty, alumni, and the community. What makes this mural especially meaningful is the collaborative process behind it. Throughout the design phase, Westfall invited participation from Marshall University's School of Art & Design students, faculty, staff, and community members through interactive events and opportunities to vote on their favorite concepts. The result is a piece of public art that truly belongs to the Marshall community. The project was initiated by the School of Art & Design, with support from the College of Arts and Media and the Marshall University Research Corporation, and funded through the National Endowment for the Arts and the Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professors in the Arts Endowment. Westfall completed the installation following her residency at Marshall's Visual Arts Center and her appointment as the Joan C. Edwards Distinguished Professor in the Arts. Bringing a mural of this scale from concept to reality required careful planning, expert craftsmanship, and close collaboration between the artist and our installation team. Working alongside Nichole Westfall, the Signarama Rivercities crew installed the mural panels, completed final touch-ups, and applied a protective clear coating to help preserve the artwork for years to come. Projects like this demonstrate how large-format graphics can transform buildings into powerful storytelling pieces that inspire everyone who walks by. While we install signs every day, opportunities to help create lasting public art are especially rewarding because they become part of a community's identity. Our relationship with Marshall University spans many years, and we're honored that this mural is the first completed project under our new academic campus contract. We look forward to continuing our partnership by helping bring future campus projects to life with the same attention to detail, craftsmanship, and commitment to excellence. Congratulations to Nichole Westfall, the School of Art & Design, and everyone involved in creating this remarkable addition to Marshall University's campus. We're grateful to have played a role in bringing this vision to life. From concept to completion, we're proud to help transform campus spaces into landmarks that inspire students, visitors, and the Huntington community.