Springfield college student melds biology and art major with Missouri native mural

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Springfield drivers and pedestrians have a new piece of art to enjoy on their commutes that highlights many of Missouri’s native species.

Sophie Bryan’s first-ever mural was of a whale at her childhood home. She nicknamed the whale Wallace, and she dove into a world of art featuring all kinds of oceanic creatures.

“I love aquatics in any form,” Bryan said.

A family friend, Ann Willingham, had placed her request for a mural long before. Willingham, who is 92 years old, has known Bryan’s family for years and taught Bryan’s father’s Sunday school classes when he was in second grade and worked with Bryan’s grandmother as teachers in Springfield Public Schools. Willingham’s fence line along Battlefield Road in Springfield spans 90 feet.

Bryan had been a bit hesitant to attempt such a large project. She was busy tackling other commissions while majoring in wildlife and fisheries biology with a minor in art at Missouri State University. However, as she entered the summer months, she realized she was ready to tackle Willingham’s fence.

Bryan applied for and received a grant from Drop Dead Generous, a United Kingdom-based social experiment handing out $500,000 in $500 grants to 1,000 people around the world.

While considering the subject matter, Bryan knew she wanted the mural to focus on creatures near and dear to her from the state of Missouri, rather than from the ocean.

“I was thinking, ‘If I do another big mural, I don’t want to only focus on the parts of the world that are a 12-hour drive away,’” Bryan said. “I want to showcase how much beauty, how much fantastic wildlife, and how many unique ecosystems we have right outside our doors that we don’t always pay as much attention to.”

Finally landing on Missouri natives, Bryan got to work and finished the mural after about 100 hours of painting. Among the many featured animals, the Ozark hellbender is Bryan’s personal favorite.

Willingham was delighted in watching Bryan create the mural over the summer.

“I’ll mention it and people will ask, ‘Oh, is that your fence?’” Willingham said.

The mural is located on the south side of Battlefield, on the right side of the road, heading east.

For more information about different species featured in Bryan’s mural, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s (MDC) Field Guide: mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide

To experience nature near you, visit the Springfield Conservation Nature Center or a conservation area.

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