Published November 10, 2014
University of Louisiana at Monroe art instructor Brooke Foy took inspiration from
fellow artist Candy Chang for a new endeavor which encourages ULM students to actively
and purposely think about their future.
Foy has brought this concept to ULM and will embark on the “Before I Graduate” project
beginning at 10:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 12, at ULM’s Bayou Park, in front of Starbucks,
on Northeast Drive.
ULM students will be able to express and share their academic and life goals on a
special wall measuring in at 24 feet long and eight feet tall.
Chang’s “Before I Die” was conceived after she lost a loved one. She created a display
consisting of a large chalkboard placed in her New Orleans neighborhood with the tagline,
“Before I Die.” Chang placed chalk at the site and encouraged her neighbors to share
the dreams they wished to accomplish before they died.
Foy hopes that students will utilize the wall to write their ambitions, plans, and
projects that they plan to pursue before they graduate.
“I think this is a wonderful opportunity which allows students to think deeply on
the things that they want to do while they are in college,” Foy said. “There is something
very powerful about writing down your hope and dreams, and even more powerful is to
share and compare those goals with others.”
For two weeks, Foy and students from ULM’s art fraternity, Kappa Pi, will monitor
the progress of the wall and document the aspirations shared.
Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend the opening
event, and visit the wall.
For more information, contact Foy at 318-342-1340 or at foy@ulm.edu or Arely Castillo at castillo@ulm.edu or at 318-816-2278.
