RIT senior paints mural to honor military; finds community she was seeking
Article and photos by Grace Scism
Rachel Adkins drove by the American Legion Post 468 many times on her way to and from her home in Greece to classes at Rochester Institute of Technology, where she is a senior. The stark white building inspired her as an artist, so she emailed Commander Kevin Woodbury to ask if she could paint a mural on its side.
“As it so happens, a few members of our leadership team had been looking into getting a mural put up on our building,” said Woodbury. “After a conversation with Rachel, we asked her to present her proposal to the Legion. It was met with a great deal of enthusiasm.”
After receiving approval from the Town of Greece, Adkins wasted no time getting started. “My inspiration for the mural was the strength, sacrifice, and unity of our veterans, along with the sense of community at the American Legion,” she said. “I wanted the mural to honor those who have served and recognize the families, volunteers, and members who continue to support them.”
A GoFundMe helped Adkins raise $665 for supplies, and the Legion passed a bucket raising another $426.
Adkins started the process by creating a digital design and projecting it onto the wall at night so she could create a basic outline. “I painted the sunset using a combination of purples, oranges, and yellows, mixing them together for unique colors and a unified palette. All of the figures, text, and accents were added at the end,” she explained.
Through the flag, silhouettes, and sunset, Adkins wanted to express remembrance, pride, and hope.
Growing up in rural Virginia as an only child, Adkins has enjoyed creating art since she was a child. In the summer of 2021, she assisted with a mural in Mt. Airy, NC. The artist, Gina Franco, taught Adkins some skills, and she learned the rest through practice. She painted a second mural with her mom, Liane Adkins, on a 40-foot storage container at her mom’s friend’s RV campground in Crystal Beach, TX.
Along with murals, Adkins paints custom shoes and oil paintings.
At RIT, Adkins’ friends were mainly art students even though her major is in computer engineering with a minor in quantum information science and technology. With the first two years of her degree program under her belt, Adkins decided to join the U.S. Army NY National Guard, training for a full year at Ft. Huachuca, AZ, and earning her associate’s degree in Military Intelligence Operations Studies. She is now a Specialist with the 10th Mtn. Main Command Post–Operational Detachments (MCP-OD).
Adkins said joining the National Guard has afforded her many benefits, including helping her land a job with L3Harris Technologies when she graduates in May 2027.
“My degree is five years, so I watched all my friends graduate, aside from my roommate,” Adkins said during her speech at the dedication on October 10. Seeing the white American Legion building reminded her of her own life, devoid of the color her art friends had brought into her life.
One night after passing the building, Adkins emailed the Commander to ask if she could paint the mural, but she didn’t really expect a response. “Ever since then, I’ve been welcomed by everyone here, given food and drinks, and most of all, community,” Adkins said in her speech.
Adkins’ mom, Liane, and a family friend, Lee, traveled from Virginia and North Carolina, respectively, to attend the dedication and plant mums in front of the mural. Her neighbors were also there to honor the young artist and her work. In addition to a certificate of appreciation from Greece Post 468, the Greece Legion Auxiliary also presented Adkins with a $200 check at the dedication ceremony.
“The mural that is now on this building and the people inside it are filling my heart with color again, and I hope it brings more color to other people’s hearts as well,” said Adkins. “This mural from this day forward is dedicated to all veterans that have served, and their families.”
To see more of Rachel Adkins’ artwork, visit her Instagram page @a.c.e.artistry.
