Unions' Public Art Blog

1940s 1942 - Mizzou’s Homecoming activities were scaled-back due to America’s entrance into World War II.  A 1942 edition of Missouri Alumnus reports: “Wartime conditions necessitate a modest celebration…a larger more consequential struggle, involving countless Missourians, will overshadow events of the day.” The events that were still held were used as platforms to raise money for war bonds and the memorial fund for students killed in the war. Like many of the Mizzou athletes he coached, Don Faurot joined the armed forces, serving in the Navy.  (1943 Savitar Courtesy of University Archives) The ROTC marches at halftime before a sparse, wartime crowd. 1943 - Although the game was still played, corresponding Homecoming spirit events were cancelled altogether. The cause of the cancellation, according to the 1943 Missouri Alumnus , was “reasons which are obvious.” 1945 - Most nations involved in World War II reached peace agreements and Homecoming resumed with style. Th

1930s 1930s - Homecoming attendance dwindles as the Great Depression affects alumni’s ability to afford ticket prices and travel. The Alumni Magazine of 1931 reads: “Reductions in receipts in football…have led to curtailment of athletic activities…financial depression has made it impossible for rooters to spend the sums necessary to see games.” Still, Mizzou spirit persevered and new Homecoming traditions were formed, even amid the hardships of the Great Depression, as Fraternities and Sororities established the annual house decoration contest. 1931 - Three students caused a Homecoming commotion by igniting the annual bonfire the eve before the rally! Down but not defeated, about a hundred students came to the rescue, working tirelessly through the night to rebuild the wood pyre. All the male students were excused from their classes on the following afternoon in order to finish preparations for the big rally. ( Alumni Magazine , 1935, v. 1, pg. 9) Lee-Carl Overstreet, Chai

David Spear, University of Missouri--Red Campus (left panel), 2008, oil on canvas. Photo credit: Emeka Anyanwu. I recently approached local artist, David Spear, to solicit him for an interview about his work at the Student Unions—he was nice enough to oblige. If his name or aesthetic rings familiar, it is likely that you have seen his work around town (Wabash Bus Station, Boone County Hospital, Memorial Union, Sophia's, Addison's, Roots & Blues posters, etc). Spear's University of Missouri triptych can be seen in the Memorial Tower Lounge. The following interview has been edited for length. Changes to David’s text are noted with ellipses and brackets. 1.         Your paintings are staggeringly intricate. How long, if you recall, did it take to create the triptych in the Memorial Union? What is your process like?                “It was a rather long process… I usually start out with a lot of rough drawings… Through this process I decided that I w

1920s 1920s - Homecoming traditions began to take shape. Although initially held every other year (on Thanksgiving when KU came to Columbia), in the 1920s Homecoming became an annual event. The evening before was celebrated by an annual pep-rally bonfire where freshmen would burn their caps. The parade on Homecoming morning grew and eventually every department was represented by a float. The “Thundering Thousand” (a freshmen pep club) was created and before every game the group would march in “lock step” from the columns to the stadium. Mizzou fans would wear yellow chrysanthemums as a symbol of clean sportsmanship.  (1921 Savitar) Tigers beat the Jayhawks. 1921 - The University broke ground for the Memorial Union building during the Homecoming events. The Alumnus publication observed: “A strain of reverence was noted throughout the commemoration and reunion that added a leaven of gracious seriousness to the entire convention.” Memorial Tower was later dedicated (Homecom

For the past week I’ve been rather busy setting up exhibits on the second floor of the Student Center. I have installed three themed displays of Savitars (the University of Missouri yearbook established in 1894) and I thought I would give you guys a little preview.  Welcome: The first display, which is in a small display case in the Traditions Lounge, is a rather topical one—Savitars page spreads dedicated to the swarm of students arriving or returning to school:   Savitar 1975, pg. 17 Savitar 1927, pg. 171                              Why not join a MIZZOU organization?:                          The second display, which is in the display case on the Bridge Lounge, focuses Mizzou student organizations from previous decades. The spreads I chose for this exhibit demonstrate the enduring spirit (and fashion sense) of Mizzou students: Savitar 1918, pg. 270. Their motto is worth reading…   Savitar 1974, pg. 308