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Multicultural Center’s FreeWall Jam event brings inspiration, camaraderie and discussion to campus

Spray painting artist “Doomed Movement,” Terrence Hammond, creates art with students and community

Woman stands outside next to two freewalls that together are spray painted to reflect the combined art of many people who attended the FreeWall Jam event. The mural is colorful and features images of hearts and people and stairs.

This collaborative graffiti mural along with Doomed Movement's piece will be on display in the Multicultural Center. (All photos by Drake Avisado.)

Multicultural Center’s FreeWall Jam event brings inspiration, camaraderie and discussion to campus

Spray painting artist “Doomed Movement,” Terrence Hammond, creates art with students and community

This collaborative graffiti mural along with Doomed Movement's piece will be on display in the Multicultural Center. (All photos by Drake Avisado.)

Woman stands outside next to two freewalls that together are spray painted to reflect the combined art of many people who attended the FreeWall Jam event. The mural is colorful and features images of hearts and people and stairs.

This collaborative graffiti mural along with Doomed Movement's piece will be on display in the Multicultural Center. (All photos by Drake Avisado.)

As part of a series of events honoring Black History Month, the ԰ɫ, Reno Multicultural Center’s Black Diaspora Program invited street artist and alumnus Terrence Hammond, known as Doomed Movement, for “FreeWall Jam” on Feb. 22. In addition to Hammond, Dr. Frederick Gooding (known as Dr. G) attended the event as part of his two-day series on campus.

Artist Doomed Movement, Terrence Hammond, works with a spray can in hand on a large yellow mural outside.
Doomed Movement, Terrence Hammond, works on the piece as he talks with attendees about the art and expression of graffiti. 


During the event, Hammond, Dr. G, students, faculty, staff and the community came together outside on the lawn in front of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center and talked about artistic expression through spray painting.

Dr. G, a professor from Texas Christian University, opened the event with a brief introduction, discussing the art of hip-hop music and graffiti and how events celebrating those art forms spread awareness, encourage expression and vulnerability and help bring the proper respect and recognition that those art forms deserve.

Dr. Frederick Gooding and a student graffiti artist pose in front of a collaborative mural, holding up sideways peace signs with their fingers.
Dr. G participated in creating art with artists, students and event attendees.


After his opening, the group received some instruction from Hammond about how to paint. Everyone was then welcomed and encouraged to spray paint on a FreeWall, while Hammond worked nearby on a piece that will be donated to the Multicultural Center.

“Black History Month is a time for celebration of culture, community and Black excellence. Although February is the designated month, which is recognized as Black History Month, we honor Black culture 365 days a year,” Coordinator of the Black Diaspora Program Brandon Sanders said. “The purpose of the Black Diaspora Program is to create space and opportunities for our students to feel safe, heard and empowered as well as have a sense of community – a space that cultivates connection and growth for all who engage.”

One student in particular was instrumental in bringing Dr. G to the ԰ɫ, Reno and in helping to coordinate these events for Black History Month, Serene Townsell. Townsell spoke to the importance of events like these.

“Black History Month helps get attention for events like these. It’s a great way to build community, but it’s important to then continue that conversation and remind people to support events like these throughout the year,” Townsell said.

Her main takeaway for other students is that if they have an event that they want to see on campus, there are resources and people available to help make those events come to life, all they need to do is speak up and find a little bit of support.

“It’s beautiful how we’re building community, and it’s all come full circle. It’s easy to reach out and make these connections and then make these events happen.”

To learn more and to get involved, please visit the Black Diaspora Program webpage.

Student Serene Townsell spray paints the top of the collaborative graffiti freewall.
Serene Townsell helped bring Dr. G to campus and helped organize the various events celebrating Black History Month that the Multicultural Center put on in February.
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