Artist Paints Murals at VGCC Campuses
Artist and Warren County resident Wanda Satterwhite recently completed painting a total of nine murals at locations on all four of Vance-Granville Community College’s campuses.
According to VGCC Vice President of Student Affairs Gene Purvis, the college tasked Satterwhite with visually representing the four counties served by VGCC, while incorporating the four college campuses: Main Campus in Vance County, South Campus in Granville County, the Warren County Campus in Warrenton and the Franklin County Campus near Louisburg. The familiar gazebo by the lake on Main Campus would serve as the centerpiece of the mural. Satterwhite toured all four campuses for inspiration and picked elements to represent each county.
In the upper left corner, Granville County is represented by the steeple of Creedmoor’s First Baptist Church and by tobacco leaves to salute the area’s agricultural heritage. In the upper right, to represent Vance County, is a depiction of downtown Henderson, including the iconic Henderson Fire Department clock tower. In the lower right, Warren County is symbolized by a dogwood, an antiques store, and a body of water to represent the area’s lakes, including Kerr Lake and Lake Gaston. Finally, in the lower left corner, the Laurel Mill and a café represent Franklin County.
One of these murals is located on Main Campus, South Campus and Warren Campus, while two are painted at different locations at Franklin Campus. In addition, Satterwhite painted one mural on each campus that depicts the college’s “Vanguards” mascot logo.
Satterwhite said that she enjoyed the challenge that the murals presented. “It was an honor and a great opportunity for me, and I give all the credit for my work to God,” she said. Being hired by VGCC to create the artwork was not Satterwhite’s first experience with the college. She has taken art classes at VGCC under Lelia Brigham and Leslie Johnson, and she has also taught an art class at the Warren County Campus. “As a former student, it’s nice to leave a lasting mark on the campuses,” Satterwhite said.
Artist Wanda Satterwhite (left) poses with the mural she painted in the Snack Bar on the college’s main campus. Each of the mural’s four corners depicts one of the four counties served by the college, along with the VGCC campus in that county: clockwise, from bottom left, Franklin County, Granville County (South Campus), Vance County (Main Campus) and Warren County.(VGCC photo)
