A Mural for the Moment

Siena's Center for Academic Community Engagement (ACE) is dedicated to meeting the needs of its partners, as defined by the partner. What the Capital Region Community Investment Trust needed was something to make their office space come alive. A mural was just the ticket.

The CIT, a non-profit based in Albany's South End, collaborates with local businesses, organizations, and investors to promote social engagement, enhance community safety and pride, and provide wealth-building opportunities. They reached out to ACE last year with the concern that something was missing from their South Pearl Street offices.

"They wanted art, to bring life to the space and demonstrate community ownership," said Mairead Carr, an ACE assistant director. A Nonprofit Excellence and Transformation (NExT) team from ACE got to work, and the colorful result is a mural designed by Neha "Drishti" Matta '26 that was unveiled April 28 at a CIT community gathering.

"It was powerful to collaborate and gift something to the CIT that is inspired by the community, for the community," said Matta. "Sometimes, people want something without having to ask for it, like in a relationship: you gift something to a friend when they do not ask. This is not to impose, but because you've listened and know it will do a little bit for them. And that's what I feel like we did here. We listened to them, and we gave them this gift that will outlast us being there."

The project began with students reviewing listening session notes and meeting with the partner regularly in the fall. Students also met with businesses connected with the CIT and heard about bright colors, greenery, and the need for beauty. The vibrance, joy and musicality of the Harlem Renaissance inspired the color palette, which also reflects the CIT logo.

"The NExT team really did their homework," said Ruth Kassel, director of operations at CIT. "They read past neighborhood surveys, reviewed historic pictures and documents, and engaged the community. Their mural represents the spirit of the neighborhood and the building that people feel they helped to create. It was a beautiful process of the team really listening and really understanding what people want."

Since CIT plans to bring more art into their space, the NExT team developed a list of best practices for engaging with local artists and making those plans a reality.

"This was a true collaboration and the mural was well received," said Carr. "At the core of this deep partnership was an incredible commitment to really hearing what the partner wanted then acting on that. It was academic community engagement at its peak."

Talia Narzymski '26 said she enjoyed learning more about the local community and the historical importance of "the Pommer," as the CIT building is known.

"I hope the community feels heard, especially in their desire for more color and art, and that this mural helps spark continued creativity and engagement throughout the South End," said Narzymski.

Cooper Baxter '28 said the best part of the project for him was seeing the change the Saints worked for as soon as they unveiled the new mural.

"A grandmother and her grandson came in and answered some of our questions during the research phase," Baxter explained. "When asked how they defined community engagement, the grandson's answer was, 'When they playing.' It was so great to see through innocent eyes what his community was to him through what we presented."