Library News

Meet the Winners of our Student Art Contest

We are thrilled to announce the winning visions from the Library's "Love your Library" Student Art Contest!

We were absolutely blown away by the creativity and heart poured into every submission we received. Our goal was to showcase the student experience of the Library, and the response confirmed what we already knew: That our Library is a vibrant, welcoming hub of discovery and collaboration.

A huge thank you to every student who shared their unique perspective. After careful consideration by the Student Library Engagement and Advisory Committee (SLEAC), we're proud to announce the three winning entries. Each of our winners received a $200 gift card of their choice as well as a promotional item featuring their artwork. Each of the other submissions also received a gift card for their effort.

Meet the Winning Artists and their Creations:

These three designs stood out for their creativity and their powerful reflection of the LIbrary's values and the student journey. They are presented in no specific order. 

Mahnoor Ahmed - Shared Study Space

• About the artist: Mahnoor is a third-year psychology student who enjoys visual storytelling through illustration.
• The design's story: "I enjoy illustrating, which is an art form that centres around visual storytelling. Keeping in mind the purpose for this contest, I prioritized simplicity by utilizing a perspective that would be visually interesting and immersive, while a muted colour palette ensured cohesion. I made sure the facial expressions of each student would be visible to the viewer of this piece to tell a familiar story of friendship and connection in a commonly used library study space."

Erin Osiowy - Architectural Sketch

• About the artist: Erin is a recent graduate of the Ecotourism and Outdoor Leadership program. 
• The design's story: "The unique design of the RLLC building got me interested in drawing architecture, and I used to spend time between classes sketching the library from different spots. With the help of the Maker Studio, I was able to learn how to turn these drawings into digital art."

Miguel Gauthier - Open Worlds

• About the artist: A recent Bachelor of Science graduate, majoring in Biology, whose work concentrates on ecology and evolution. Throughout his degree, Miguel spent countless hours in the library, finding his favourite study spot on the fourth floor with its incredible mountain view.
• The design's story: "My intention was to create a work that is both engaging and thought provoking, capturing the essence of the library’s impact. The ascending orange steps serve as more than a representation of the library’s physical floors, they embody the personal and intellectual evolution of students as we progress through our academic journeys. In the lower left, a heart symbolizes the friendships and connections created in the library. Two rows of abstract books, varied in shape, color, and size, represent the vast spectrum of knowledge within the library. Although different, each is essential, just as every student’s learning path is unique yet equally valuable. The background, filled with chaotic and meandering lines, reflects this individuality, meant to illustrate that no one follows a singular route, and how we are all simply at different points in our own unfolding stories.

  The repetition of the word "open" reinforces the library's role in expanding minds and opportunities. The library opens futures by providing the resources to shape our careers. It opens stories of the past through its archives and endless literary collections. It opens possibilities, by offering a space where learning knows no limits. At the center of the piece, the phrase "Open Worlds" stands out as the central message, an affirmation that students at MRU are not confined to one path, or destiny. The star is a subtle nod to the quote "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss you'll land among the stars" reinforcing the idea that within our library, aspirations are boundless, and success is without restraint."

These creative reflections of the student experience will be shared with our campus community as a variety of promotional items: tote bags, notebooks, mugs, and stickers . Keep an eye out for these unique, student-designed promotional items at various Library events and locations throughout the coming semesters!