In the spring of 2015, students of the music and art departments envisioned a beautifully painted piano to be played by passersby, launching the painted piano project. Now, three years later, the two departments are taking a twist on the project. As of Oct. 17, Biolans can expect to see a fluorescent upright piano in front of the Crowell Music Hall. This carefully painted piano embodies the Conservatory’s Random Acts of Culture program, which exists to spontaneously integrate art within the Biola community.

THE ARTIST’S INTENT

The man behind the fluorescent piano, senior studio arts major Brandon Steadman, received inspiration from the Bible in his artwork. For Steadman, the beauty of the painted piano goes beyond the fusion of luminous colors. Through this project, he hopes to put a modern spin on Psalm 98:4 that encourages Christ-followers to “make a joyful noise.” If you look closely at Steadman’s mural, you will find some words from the verse painted brightly across the piano.

“I implement a lot of faith into my work, so I’m actually using the verse Psalm 98:4,” Steadman said.

BIOLANS REACT

Although the painted piano project has just launched, students, faculty and friends are already exchanging positive comments. Many appreciate the Random Acts of Culture’s unique synthesis of visual and musical arts. Santa Ana College photography major Matthew Martinez admires the universal interpretation it allows for onlookers.

“A lot of people have been stopping by, looking at it and taking photos, so I think that’s really nice that it kind of speaks to everybody,” Martinez said.

Others enjoy the consistency of the project and the holistic picture it has to offer, including Conservatory of Music admissions coordinator Stephen Oey.

“A couple years ago when we had this, we had several art students come by and do different styles of paintings or images on the piano, but I like that this one is all just one artist, which is really cool so it has that consistency,” Oey said.

ART FOR ALL

Whether you are a student in search for stress relief or a professor in a musical mood, feel free to enjoy all that the painted piano has to offer while it resides by Crowell Music Hall. Luckily, with the Conservatory’s Random Acts of Culture underway, the painted piano will be one of many unique projects to take place in the Biola community.