The Murals are Painted

Shortly after the Afro-American society moved into Cutter Hall they desired to put their mark on the building.  The decision was to commission murals to line the walls of the building. Marvin Johnson, class of 1973, met Florian Jenkins at a New Jersey gallery and recommended him to the students.  Jenkins made some test drawings and sketches which were approved by the Dartmouth students. Then, in the summer of 1972, Jenkins arrived on campus. During his visit he spent time talking to students about their experiences on campus and what their vision for the mural was.  For most, they expressed the desire to have the walls adorned with images that were analogous to the work they were doing on campus for the betterment of black students. Jenkins spent a lot of time with the Dartmouth students and ultimate painted some of their portraits into the murals.