A new mural, titled Kettle of Hawks, now graces the wall of McMurry University’s Garrison United Methodist Campus Center. The artwork, specially commissioned for the Centennial Museum project, was created by artist and McMurry alumnus Patrick Messersmith ’05. The mural beautifully captures the strength and spirit of the McMurry community and adds a vibrant touch to the newly renovated Campus Center.
“Kettle” refers to a group of hawks circling together in the sky during migration. This phenomenon inspired Messersmith’s portrayal of Harris Hawks, the basis for McMurry’s War Hawk mascot. As hawks conserve energy by soaring together on thermal currents, the McMurry community thrives on mutual support, lifting each other to pursue shared aspirations and more significant goals.
Messersmith, who studied fine art and studio art at McMurry, captures the energy and grace of hawks in flight through his acrylic painting. The mural features hawks in various stages of flight. Some are vivid, lifelike figures, while others emerge as shadowy silhouettes, creating a sense of movement and freedom. His careful study of the wing positions and flight patterns of Harris Hawks makes the mural as accurate as it is symbolic.
For Messersmith, returning to his alma mater to create a permanent piece of art in the new Campus Center was a significant full-circle moment. “It feels incredible to give back to the place that gave me so much,” he said.
Messersmith credits McMurry’s art program and supportive faculty, including professors Linda Strickland and J. Robert Miller, with shaping his artistic path. Their encouragement helped him secure scholarships to attend McMurry, and their lessons continue to inform his work today.
Although Messersmith has never pursued art full-time, it has always remained central to his life, even as his career took him in different directions, including his current role in learning and development for a real estate management company. “No matter what else I am doing professionally, I make sure I touch a canvas daily,” he said. This commitment to painting has allowed him to thrive in Abilene’s artist community, where connections made at McMurry have led to numerous annual commissions, including pet portraits and large-scale murals, keeping his creative passion alive alongside his career.
“For anyone pursuing the arts—whether professionally or as a side passion—make it a habit to create every day,” Messersmith said. “That could mean touching a canvas, working on digital art, or picking up a camera. Artists are driven to create; it’s part of who we are. Make it a priority.”
The Kettle of Hawks mural now represents McMurry’s spirit, reminding everyone who passes through the Campus Center of the bond between the University and its alums—past, present, and future. For Messersmith, the mural is more than just art—it’s a piece of himself, left behind where his artistic journey first took flight.
About the Mural
The Kettle of Hawks mural was crafted with high-quality acrylic paint, which is ideal for indoor settings. The artist, Patrick Messersmith ’05, utilized a graphic art style reminiscent of comic books, incorporating simplified colors and patterns to convey shapes and depth. The mural was completed with bold black outlines that define intricate details like feathers and beaks.
The creation of the mural spanned several weeks, starting with initial concepts and culminating in the final artwork. One of the key challenges was managing height and space effectively. To navigate this, Messersmith utilized scaffolding that extended nearly two stories high, granting him access to elevated areas. He frequently stepped back to evaluate the overall composition, recognizing that the mural’s appearance varied significantly when viewed up close compared to a distance.
Messersmith collaborated closely with Jennifer Nichols ’73, professor of photography and curator of the McMurry University Centennial Museum, engaging in extensive discussions to refine the design and ensure it aligned with the University’s vision. After finalizing the design concept, Messersmith dedicated about 20 hours to the painting process, allowing him to concentrate on the intricate details and maintain the mural’s overall quality while addressing the challenges of scale and perspective.