Until last November, the office windows of 401 Old Main had a magnificent view — of a yellow brick wall.

Melanie Eger (junior-arts) changed all that. She painted a mural depicting the view of what the Old Main lawn would look like if that wall were not there. Looking through the windows of 401 Old Main now, the view might never be described as lifeless again.

Paul Peworchik, the coordinator of information and administrative systems whose office is in 401 Old Main, had been searching for someone to paint the mural for a few years.

"Every time I looked out the window, I was faced with bricks. The view was dreary, and it needed to be changed," he said. Ever since the department received approval for the mural, Peworchik looked for a student from the College of Arts and Architecture to head the project.

Eger described getting the opportunity to paint the mural as pure chance. "I delivered a package to room 401, and while I was there, I met Paul where upon we discussed my interest in painting the mural," Eger said. Soon after, a piece of art was in the making.

The project took five months to complete, and according to Peworchik, was worth the search for an artist. "I enjoy the view much more than before, and the staff at the office responded very well to it."

Among the office staff content with the change, Robin Anderson, coordinator for process improvement, who sits next to the window, agrees the view is elevating. "It's always sunny outside, and I don't feel so closed in as much as looking at a wall before. It's more pleasing to the eye. Melanie painted a good representation of the Old Main lawn." Anderson said.

Eger used house paint for the 107-by-7 feet endeavor. She portrays the peaceful scene of the Old Main lawn on a sunny day with vibrant colors and bold strokes. "I painted with the staff members in mind," Eger said.

She collaborated with the members of the office staff to come up with ideas for the mural. "The ideas ranged from Snowcapped Mountains to nature scenes, but I thought it would be creative to recreate the Old Main lawn."

The extensive project linked Eger onto other projects as well. In the spring, she plans to paint a pond scene in the water collecting space next to the office.

As well as practicing her painting skills, Eger received six independent studies credits from the College of Arts and Architecture as well as the steady paying job. "I expressed myself through the mural and had a lot of fun with it, and that's possibly the best incentive for any work."