College Students Create Murals

York College students helped Stauffer's Biscuit Company, the York-based baker of the Original Animal Cracker, celebrate its 150th anniversary by refreshing the look of its Cookie & Snack Outlet, located at 375 S. Belmont St., York.

"For years, the store has been decorated with a colorful mural of a train pulling its well-known animal crackers, but little other decor," said Geoffrey Guilfoile, brand manager at Meiji America Inc., parent company of Stauffer's Biscuit Company. "By partnering with students of York College's art programs, Stauffer's hoped to add more color and vibrancy to the space as well as representation of the York community that Stauffer's has called home for 150 years."

Facilitated by York College's Appell Arts Fellow and 2020 graduate Jeannine Dabb, the Stauffer's Mural Project - which included York College students from start to finish - began in August with a visit to Stauffer's Cookie & Snack Outlet. After visiting the space to get a lay of the land, York College students submitted proposals of their vision for the new murals.

Each of the proposals was then presented to Stauffer's, and its employees selected three murals to be installed in the space. Chosen murals were "Circus in the Park," designed by Jessilet Antonio, a sophomore fine art major from Dallastown; "Sweet Universe," designed by Rhiannon Harbold, a senior fine art major from Red Lion; and "Taste for All," designed by Brittany Dao, a junior fine art major from Shrewsbury.

Throughout the months of November and December, teams of students worked together to produce full-size versions of the mural concepts. Artists included Paige Johnson, first-year fine art major from York; James O'Shea, senior fine art major from Etters; Allison Moats, senior fine art major from York; and Simon Sattman, chemistry graduate from Spring Grove. Dabb noted that the students learned lessons related to application, deadlines, budgeting, problem-solving and teamwork.

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