“Every shift is a new adventure, every call a story to be written,” spreads in cursive against a blue background. Below, a disc of orange light encircles a white sketch of the hospital’s exterior, evoking both dawn and dusk. Various medical items — a stethoscope, a thermometer, a surgical mask — surround the central tableau. Fluffy white clouds are illuminated against the saffron sky.

“Trauma-informed community spaces are really central to my research and my work. Caretaker burnout in particular is really on my heart,” Flynn says.

“The opportunity to pour into those spaces so that the morale is a little bit higher for those who really maintain it, and have that be the first step of making myself known as an artist in the community, was a really beautiful combination.”

Flynn, who worked for 60 hours to create the mural, plans to construct her own interdisciplinary degree, centered around art and music therapy. The hospital reached out to George Williams, professor of art and art history, who spearheaded previous collaboration between Beloit College students and the hospital, to find a student that was up to the task.

Flynn was a natural fit, because she had previously been involved in the community. She worked as a volunteer at care facilities in the Rockford Area. Flynn also spent four years working for the Harlem School District in Machesney Park, Illinois, supporting special education programs. After Professor Williams connected Flynn with hospital staff, her work coordinating with them was largely independent.

After the guidelines had been set, Flynn worked over a month-long period to produce the final result. She remained at the hospital for several hours at a time, continuing until as late as two in the morning to complete every stage of the process. “Coming up with the initial sketch was a process in itself: doing a base coat of color over the whole wall, taping off the edges of the walls, getting a ten-foot ladder, mixing my colors, and then painting,” she says.

The project presented unique challenges for Flynn: the size of the piece, the constraints set by the hospital, and work-life balance. The labor was physically demanding, too, impacting her arms and shoulders. “I’m very pleased with the result, and it’s a very exciting addition to my portfolio,” she says.

“These kinds of projects may change what your semester or even your week load looks like, but if they align with where your heart is pulling you and where your academic work is centered, then they’re absolutely worth the time.”

Through opportunities like the mural, Flynn has found ways to apply her skills and interests to better her community. Beloit College’s robust interdisciplinary offerings have helped her carve her own path, inspiring her trajectory by enabling her to take on a task that will be a building block for future endeavors.