Pointlife
Much has been said about the existence of a lone “red brick” on the mural on the side of the Daniel O. Trainer Natural Resources building. It’s creator, Richard Schneider proclaims there is not. You’re free to check it yourself.
TNR mural creator debunks long-held myth, offers other reflections
The Pointer
mbaum925@uwsp.edu
There is a saying that behind every rumor, there is a kernal of truth. That appears to be so for many things, but not with the mural on the Daniel O. Trainer Natural Resources Building.
According to the creator of the wall, retired University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point art professor Richard Schneider, there is no solitary red brick on the mural.
“It is purely myth; it is in fact a brown tile with a vest, noting the presence of Lee Sherman Dreyfus, who maintained a high-profile as Chancellor on campus,” said Schneider, in a phone interview Wednesday. “He helped to smooth out problems; he was the Godfather of the project,” said Schneider.
The wall was primarily a blank wall, 50 by 100 feet, composed of beige brick, very much an empty canvas for the enterprising arts professor.
“With the prospect of Old Main being torn down, I thought it could be incorporated into the background of the mural,” said Schneider, “as were the suggestions of several people for design ideas.”
Money for the mural project was not allotted through UW-SP’s budget.
“There was no tax money; it all came from private donors and other voluntary funds,” said Schneider. “Certainly there was debate as to if the mural should have been created, but obviously it was approved.”
The tiles applied to the wall were hand-decorated by students, and among the residence halls there was a competition to see who could produce the most tiles. In 1982, the last of the panels were completed and were grouted in final preparation for installation. This wall has stood for nearly 27 years and maintains its remarkable condition.
“It has never been touched or refurbished,” said Schneider.
Of course, if any of you are still driven to view the mural yourselves and not just read of it’s durability, it maintains a choice location close to the Sundial between the Noel Fine Arts Center and the Learning Resource Center, posted on the wall of the TNR. Enjoy!
