After a year of celebrating Horned Frog alumni leaders around the nation, TCU’s Sesquicentennial mural project is coming home to Fort Worth, and right on the TCU campus.
While the campaign thus far has concentrated on celebrating Horned Frog leaders in key markets across the country, this mural, designed by Natalie Neale ’23, celebrates distinguishing characteristics and aspects of TCU. It will be situated on Lubbock Avenue, just north of Berry Street.
“Visitors and members of the Fort Worth and TCU communities can stand in front of the artwork and become a part of the design,” said Kris Copeland, creative director. The experience will include a digital filter where participants can “muralize” themselves as a TCU leader.
Anchored by the TCU 150 logo and Sesquicentennial gradient, the mural design includes several intentional and iconic TCU details, such as Frog Fountain, the Brown-Lupton University Union, tulips, ivy from J.M. Moudy Visual Arts and Communication Building, native Texas fauna – including, of course, a horned frog – and various phrases such as “Fear the Frog,” “Riff Ram” and the headline: “Dream Big. Be Bold. Lead On.” Additional “Easter eggs” are mixed into the design for visitors to discover.
“As TCU turns its focus to the next 150 years, the mural features Monarch butterflies, symbols of transformation, and mockingbirds, symbolizing freedom and infinite possibilities,” Copeland said. “Central to the design is the motif of the ‘ripple effect,’ where the impact of one person can spread out in all directions like water ripples, impacting others and ultimately the whole world. This concept is near and dear to Horned Frogs, as the flow of waters of Frog Fountain similarly represents how TCU students impact each other, spreading knowledge from one class to the next.”
Throughout TCU’s 150th, the mural campaign has featured Horned Frogs leading on in their chosen fields. The project began in New York City with “Hamilton” actor John Devereaux ’12, traveled to Los Angeles for television producer and wheelchair athlete Katherine Beattie ’08, visited Nashville for pro basketball player and youth advocate Desmond Bane ’20 and landed in Chicago to feature four inspiring health care professionals: Dr. McKenna Chalman ’19 (MD ’23), Emma Joy ’21, Dr. Courtney Sullivan ’17 and Dr. Brandon Zsigray ’14.
