RoastRunners Coffee Shop unveils new student-created murals

If you've been in the RoastRunners Coffee Shop recently, you might've noticed a change.

The once-gray walls of the cafe now display vibrant colors and unique designs made by a collaborative group of students.

On Thursday afternoon, students, staff, and family celebrated the unveiling of three new murals in the RoastRunners Coffee Shop.

"I had an especially brave and creative group of students," said Anne Magratten, an art instructor at LBCC, "so they really took this challenge on with a lot of passion."

Magratten, currently teaching in her eighth year at LBCC, organized the creation of the murals with the help and dedication of students in her Painting class.

Magratten worked with a team of 17 students to design and create the artwork that would eventually be on display. The group had spent two and a half weeks painting the cafe during class.

During Thursday's celebration, Magratten was able to grant her students an artist stipend for their hard work and contributions.

"Even though we are using class time, I think of this as their lasting creative gift to the community," she said, "and I like to see that recognized."

The collaboration of the artists spanned three different areas of the shop: a curved back wall, a support column, and a side wall near the back entrance. Designs ranged from a heron against a mountainous backdrop, branches of leaves representing the seasons, and an assortment of colorful dots with some cartoon creatures.

While visitors marveled at the cafe's new ornamentation, most student artists who helped with the murals shared their thoughts on what the opportunity meant to them.

Among the group were Lilianne Babcock and Charlie Dickey, a pair of anthropology majors at LBCC.

"We kind of got free range to create whatever little creature dudes we wanted, so that was cool," said Babcock

Babcock and Dickey spent most of their time helping put together what has come to be known as the "dot wall" amongst the artists.

While each student got a chance to showcase their artistic individuality, perhaps the biggest takeaway for most students was the ability to work with fellow artists and have a shared creative vision.

"I really enjoyed collaborating with everybody," said Dickey, "and designing the little creatures on the wall."

With the artists and fellow attendees satisfied with the fruits of their labors, possibly no one was as delighted with the turnout of the murals as Jonah Wasmer, the general manager of the Roast Runners coffee shop.

After seeing a mural in the Maker and Innovation Learning Lab (The MILL), Wasmer wondered how he could have one in the shop.

Wasmer wrote a grant proposal for the peace initiative grant. After receiving funding, Wasmer collaborated with Magratten to get the project in motion.

"It's been really interesting for sure," said Wasmer, "I wasn't exactly sure how they would go about it, but I thought it was really smart."

Since most of the painting took place during business hours, Wasmer was able to get a first-hand look into the evolution of the art pieces.

With the success of the first three murals, Wasmer is open to the possibility of having more student-produced artwork at the cafe in the future.

"Eventually having the entire space done would be pretty awesome," he said, "I don't know if that'll happen, but it would be definitely good to display some student art."

Interested in applying to work at the RoastRunners Coffee Shop? apply at https://www.jobs.linnbenton.edu/postings/12914 

At a glance

Who: Anne Magratten, Jonah Wasmer, Charlie Dickey, Lilianne Babcock, and student artists

What: Mural Unveiling Celebration

When: Thursday, March 14, 1-2pm 

Where: RoastRunners Coffee Shop, Albany Campus, Forum