A living legacy of student creativity and activism

Walking through Merrill College, it’s impossible to miss the Merrill Moat—a stretch of concrete connecting residential buildings covered in colorful murals and student artwork. This space is a living monument to student creativity, past and present. The Moat isn’t just a pretty addition to Merrill College’s landscape; it's an interactive community art project rooted in the college’s history and commitment to promoting student activism.

On May 25, the Merrill College Programs Office and Merrill Student Government hosted Moat Day, a community-building festival where students could relax, bond, and watch as this year’s mural was painted.

“The Moat is a wonderful embodiment of the spirit of Merrill College,” said Merrill College Provost Aims McGuinness. “When I walk alongside the Moat, I feel gratitude to the Merrill students who have done the work of creating our college community. And students continue that work today.”

At this year’s Moat Day event, students enjoyed lawn games, a bounce house, a tie-dyeing station, and food catered by UCSC Dining Services in Merrill Plaza. Amid the festivities, muralists Kayson Tang and Melissa Contreras collaborated on creating this year’s new mural, located in front of Merrill Building A.

Each year, students submit mural designs for the Moat in winter quarter. Submissions are reviewed by the Merrill College Programs staff, and a winner is selected to paint the mural in the spring. This year, awardees also received a stipend to honor their labor and time commitment.

“We want to make sure that the students get recognized for what they do,” said Veronica Shane-Vasquez, Merrill College Programs Coordinator. “The winning murals tie into our ethos, and the mission of Merrill College.”

Muralist Kayson Tang designed his mural submission to reflect his personal art style and showcase the creativity and playful spirit of his work. Alongside his roommate and friend, Melissa Contreras, he worked to complete the mural on Moat Day, after months of developing the piece from concept to completion.

“I’m usually really busy with school and work and I don’t have a lot of time for art, so I thought I’d take the opportunity to do something I never thought I’d do–paint a mural,” Tang said. “I hope students come away with the idea that we should create more art around town … I hope that they appreciate the detail and care we put into it.”

For Tang and Contreras, creating the mural together was a bonding experience and a way to connect with their artistic skills. As first-year students living across the hall from each other in Merrill’s dorms, the pair met and have stayed friends ever since.

“The best part of this experience has been being able to do it with someone who makes me laugh,” said Contreras.

While the Moat is covered in fairly recent student artwork, it is living proof of a rich history of student advocacy and art at Merrill College. In the early 70s, students advocated for the Moat’s creation after college leadership expressed frustration with students who painted the walls of their dormitories. The Moat was a solution that allowed students to channel their creativity into a collaborative, public art forum for all to contribute to and enjoy.

In 1979, students reacted strongly to plans to whitewash the Moat. After that, the Merrill Programs Office established the tradition as a collaborative project that students could contribute to.

Tang and Contreras attribute some of their excitement to the opportunity they had to contribute to Merrill College’s legacy through their mural.

“I think it’s really cool that as a student, you can come back to Merrill and see the history of the college and who has been here, and reflect on their legacies through art,” Contreras said.

Tang elaborated on the importance of the college experience at UC Santa Cruz: “I definitely think students should really appreciate their residential college. A lot of people just think that their college’s only purpose is to provide housing,” Tang said. “I think we're lucky to live in such a unique community. Knowing what makes Merrill Merrill is really important. When you walk into a building, know when it was built, what it was made for, who made it. That’s part of learning to appreciate where you come from.”

Merrill College’s focus on student-centered learning is reflected in the efforts of student volunteers and employees who make Moat Day possible.

For Shane-Vasquez and the Merrill Programs Office, the event serves not only as a space for students within the college to enjoy themselves, but also as an opportunity to showcase Merrill’s unique spirit and traditions to everyone on campus.

“We’re worth the climb,” Shane-Vasquez said. “No, seriously, our community is worth coming up here, and we want to draw students up and out of their rooms so they can be in community, and have fun, and act like kids again. We acknowledge that there’s so much going on in the world, and it’s important to take a moment to reflect and be together, and I think that’s the biggest thing for me, and why I love this work.”

Another important aspect of the Moat tradition is its embrace of change, allowing for growth and continuity. Each year, some past murals are retired to make space for new artwork. Tang reflected on this process as he worked on his mural.

“When I was a first year and felt sad, I would walk around the Moat, and admire its beauty,” Tang said. “Now, it’s surreal to see myself actually making a mural and contributing to all of this beautiful art in our college. A previous mural had to be painted over in order to make space for mine, and I think it’s important to acknowledge that. But I’m excited to see mine be up for years to come. I think it’ll leave a lasting legacy.”