In the sprawling atrium of the University at Buffalo’s medical school, an artistic revolution is unfolding. Here, on a scissor lift, stands Julia Bottoms, a painter who’s turning a plain white wall into a kaleidoscope of life and color. This isn’t just art; it’s a statement – a vivid, 50-foot-wide and 16-foot-tall declaration of diversity.
Picture this: Bottoms, brush in hand, is creating a world within these walls. It’s not just any world, but one that mirrors the pulsating heart of the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and its connection to the vibrant community of Buffalo. This mural isn’t just decoration; it’s a narrative of inclusion and belonging.
The inception of this mural, funded by Dr. Raul Vazquez and his wife, Toni Gaiter-Vazquez, with roots deep in the Buffalo medical community, traces back to 2019. Their vision was clear – to infuse the medical school with color, both literally and metaphorically, to echo its growing diversity. For Vazquez, a Jacobs School alum, this is personal. He stepped into the school in 1985 as an outsider in a homogeneous world. Today, he’s ensuring that every student, especially the underrepresented, sees a reflection of themselves in these hallowed halls.
Bottoms, known for her art that speaks volumes about community representation, finds a resonant chord in this project. She’s not just painting a mural; she’s etching history and dreams on these walls. Her canvas shows UB students and alumni in various hues of life – in scrubs, in white coats, chatting, walking, existing – a harmonious blend of the school and the city.
The project turned into a communal affair when the Jacobs School art committee decided to use real students and alumni as models. The response was overwhelming, turning the mural into a true representation of the school’s soul.
For Bottoms, working in the midst of the school’s daily life has been an immersive experience. She’s not just an artist but a witness to the daily grind and dedication of the school’s community. This mural, she hopes, will be a mirror for the diversity that thrives within these walls.
Vazquez and his wife are not just financing this endeavor; their family breathes through the school’s legacy. Their daughters, Nina and Nadia, are part of the school’s fabric, Nina having graduated and Nadia in her journey through medical school.
This mural, set to be unveiled soon, is more than an artistic accomplishment. It’s a testimony to the school’s commitment to diversity, a visual celebration of its inclusive spirit. It stands as a colorful reminder that in the world of medicine and beyond, diversity isn’t just welcomed; it’s essential.
As the University at Buffalo’s medical school awaits the completion of this larger-than-life artistic endeavor, one thing is clear: this mural isn’t just about who is represented but what it represents – a future where diversity is not just seen but celebrated.