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Student Spotlight: Sarah Richards
Creativity and a passion for helping others drive Richards to make positive impacts on campus and in the community
University News | August 28, 2024
Sarah Richards ’26 begins her third year at Òùµ´ÉÙ¸¾ with excitement for the future and an impressive portfolio brimming with achievement. This summer, Richards' latest project—a vibrant mural titled “Big Kid”—was selected for public display in the ViBe Creative District near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The mural, now featured in the Community Fence Mural Project on 18th Street, is a testament to her dedication to blending artistic expression with community impact.
Richards, an art and psychology major hailing from Chesterfield, Virginia, sees her art as a bridge between her creative talents and her desire to make a difference. "I created this mural as a self-portrait; it explores my childlike sense of wonder that I maintain even as I enter my 20s,” she shared. Her mural features herself blowing bubbles against a pink backdrop, a color she associates with youthful exuberance. “I hope others can see this mural and reconnect with their own inner child while not being afraid to play in the dirt, make silly arts and crafts, or blow bubbles.”
Richards' artistic journey at VWU began with a significant milestone during her first year. In Professor John Rudel’s Public Art class, she designed a mural for the Jane P. Batten Student Center, inspired by the Baltimore Love Project. Her design, which features VWU students’ hands spelling out “VWU love,” was chosen by a faculty panel and painted collaboratively with her classmates. This experience ignited her passion for murals, leading to her participation in the Marlin Mural Festival in the Neil Britton Gallery during the 2023-24 school year.
Beyond her artistic endeavors, Richards is also actively engaged in campus life. She serves as a Wesleyan Ambassador and Coordinator in the Office of Enrollment, guiding prospective students and leading campus tours. Her dedication extends to the Omicron Delta Kappa and Psi Chi Honors Societies, where she actively participates in event planning and volunteering. As an Orientation Assistant for the past two years, Richards has also played a crucial role in welcoming new students.
Her commitment to community service was further demonstrated during her Spring 2024 semester while studying abroad in Malta. There, she taught after-school art lessons at the Hal Far Open Center for refugees, enriching her academic experience with courses such as drawing with live models and studying addictive behavior.
Looking ahead, Richards is excited about her third year at VWU, eager to immerse herself in her studies and further explore the creative opportunities offered by the local ViBe and NEON districts. After graduation, she plans to pursue graduate studies in Art Therapy and Counseling at EVMS through VWU’s Early Assurance Program.
“I want to become a successful art therapist who can help clients use art as a coping mechanism. I also want to continue to add color to my local community through paid mural opportunities!”