Art unites people and creates community, which is Eric Haun’s goal with his public art project "Heart Joplin." The recognizable murals are seen on buildings of local shops and restaurants throughout the city, but now one can be found at Missouri Southern State University (MSSU). The heart is a symbol of the community at MSSU and one of the many things that make campus feel like home.
A dream for Haun, an MSSU alum, Heart Joplin is now an avenue "honoring the heart of our community” right at the university. There are currently over 30 heart murals found throughout Joplin. MSSU’s heart, located on the side of Robert Ellis Young Gymnasium, is the 28th one Haun has painted, measuring over 10 feet, also making it the largest heart mural in the city.
“Painting a giant Heart Joplin mural at MSSU makes me feel like I can give a small amount back to our university and follow in the footsteps of artist Thomas Heart Benton and create public art to better our community,” said Haun, who came to MSSU as a recipient of the Thomas Heart Benton Award. “Getting to paint my largest and hardest painting to date at the university is wonderful. MSSU does have the largest heart. Having a university in our community benefits us all.”
Students, employees, and campus visitors are encouraged to take a picture in front of the Heart Joplin and to scan the QR code to submit their photo and story to MSSU for a feature on social media in exchange for MSSU Heart Joplin merch.
“Joplin and love will always be more linked together,” Haun said. “Someone could spread hate but spreading love is what I choose to do. I hope that my silly little project can change and improve our community.”
To read more about MSSU’s Heart Joplin mural, please visit the webpage https://www.mssu.edu/mssu-heartjoplin.php.
