Mural for SHU’s New Arena Honors Ice Sports

Professor Nathan Lewis’ artwork incorporates hockey and figure skating teams

Sacred Heart University’s new ice arena has been under construction at West Campus since March and won’t open until January 2023, but already SHU has a new mural that pays homage to its ice-sports athletes. The mural is in place in the West Campus Atrium building, which will connect to the arena when construction is completed.

Nathan Lewis, professor of art and design, kept SHU’s student-athletes in mind as his inspiration when creating the mural, which he titled Pioneers Are We. “I had originally planned on doing a mural that addressed all or most of our athletic teams, but as this is in the lobby that will connect to the new ice rink, we quickly realized that ice sports should be the focus,” said Lewis.

Hockey athletes in the right of the mural represent men’s varsity hockey, women’s varsity hockey and men’s club hockey. On the left, Sacred Heart’s nationally recognized figure skating team is portrayed.

Inspiration for Lewis’ title came from the University’s alma mater, written by John Michniewicz, director of choral programs. “The alma mater is celebratory in nature, and for the future site of our ice rink and the games and competitions that will be played there, it seems fitting that we show pride in our athletes and their quest for excellence in all they do,” said Lewis, who has made many large-scale canvases over his career. “I love working big.”

Lewis was aided by one of his art students, Grace Agro, who was his studio assistant and intern. She helped with mural preparation such as working with the photo references in Adobe Photoshop. Agro also assisted with priming, assembling and hanging the canvas panels, among other responsibilities.

This is the third mural Lewis has created for Sacred Heart. His other two are The Spirit of SHU, visible on the third floor of Linda’s dining hall, and Finding Their Voices, in Bergoglio Hall. “I had a good idea of what to expect because I had done the two projects earlier for SHU,” said Lewis.

“I’m happy to have it completed and to see it in such a beautiful setting and building,” Lewis added.