Alumnus and graffiti artist Rich Patterson visited UND this past week to showcase his art. Photo by Chester Beltowski/The Dakota Student.

On Sept. 26, UND welcomed alumnus, artist and educator Rich Patterson to campus to create a new graffiti installation in the Integrated Studies Office and to visit with students.

A public reception was held to unveil Patterson’s new installation on Sept. 30. Students and members of the Grand Forks community came out to meet Patterson, see his newest creation and celebrate in the collaboration his piece creates between art and learning.

“I think it’s great that UND supports their students, even after they’ve graduated,” UND junior Matthew Vig said. “It’s neat that they allow an alumni to come back to school and talk to current students about how the university helped lead them to their success after college.

“If any other artists had anything to add, I wouldn’t mind seeing it turn into a mural.”

Patterson grew up in Manhattan’s inner city and faced many challenges in his youth including gangs, crime and violence.

To overcome these obstacles, Patterson honed his skills as an artist as part of a well-known graffiti gang. Patterson has painted several pieces for UND and the Grand Forks community. His pieces can be seen in the Integrated Studies space in O’Kelly-Ireland Hall.

In the early 2000s, Patterson enrolled as a nontraditional student at UND. He discovered the integrated studies program, which he says changed his life. He went on to earn his undergraduate and graduate degrees in education, and now teaches kindergarten in North Carolina.

Patterson’s visit is part of a collaboration between the College of Arts & Sciences, Humanities & Integrated Studies and Art & Design. While he is at UND, Patterson will be speaking to classes in art, math and education.

“I think it’s pretty cool,” UND junior Becca Devine said. “I think creative expression is something really important that sometimes lacks here. I wish they would add on more to it though so it’s not just that. Maybe make a mural.”

Katie Haines is a staff writer for The Dakota Student. She can be reached at [email protected].