VCUarts students captivate with large-scale digital mural premiere in partnership with CoStar Group
Across towering LED displays inside the lobby of the new CoStar Group Riverfront Headquarters, artwork created by students from VCUarts is transforming digital illustration and animation into immersive public art experiences.
On May 7, students in the Department of Communication Arts premiered their large-scale animations as part of the latest Virtual Murals projects developed through a continuing partnership between VCUarts and CoStar Group. Before the unveiling, students presented their creative process, collaborative development and technical approach behind the projects, sharing an artistic glimpse at the process, from early concepts to architectural-scale digital installations.
The Virtual Murals project, led by Sterling Hundley, brings together student creators working under his direction to develop motion-based artworks specifically for CoStar Group’s expansive LED screen environments. Hundley is an award-winning illustrator and professor in the Department of Communication Arts and co-lead of the Applied Arts Lab at VCU.
“The success behind Virtual Murals isn’t a secret. Have faith in your students and put them in hard situations where they have to perform. They are capable of so much more than they realize. With the incredible mentorship and support of CoStar Group and the opportunity to work on impactful projects, VCU students continue to amaze us with their creativity, vision and capacity to create powerful, thought-provoking solutions.”
– Sterling Hundley
Many of the mural projects draw inspiration from Richmond itself, combining urban landscapes, architecture, and natural elements into animated visual experiences designed to reflect the city’s creative identity and CoStar’s growing impact on the Richmond innovation ecosystem. The resulting works move beyond static murals, using motion and scale to create dynamic environments that shift throughout the day.
This collaboration reflects the university’s broader focus on interdisciplinary innovation and providing experiential learning opportunities that embed students with industry professionals. For students, the experience offers more than a portfolio project. It provides an opportunity to see their work presented at scale while navigating the collaborative realities of professional creative production.
“Virtual Murals was a unique opportunity to apply four years of artistic and technical experience toward a professional project. Collaborating with real clients at CoStar Group and with Professor Sterling Hundley was such a privilege, and I believe every student in the Communication Arts program should try to take advantage of it. My role was central to the project as both team lead and the sole 3D artist. I was responsible for creating a 3D environment and animation within Autodesk Maya. The experience not only allowed me to demonstrate my skills but also highlighted the strength and potential of students pursuing the 3D pathway within the Communication Arts program.” – Sam Anderson, B.A. 26‘
As the animations radiated across CoStar Group’s LED displays, the event highlighted not only student talent but also growing momentum at the intersection of art, technology and public experience.
Learn more about the VCUarts and CoStar Group partnership
