Bethel University Artist Molly Rader Paints for Caribou Coffee

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Segment of a mural painted by Bethel University senior Molly Rader for Caribou Coffee.

SAINT PAUL, MN (10/11/2011)(readMedia)-- Brush in hand-and shot of espresso in the other-Molly Rader from Winona, MN, visual arts education major at Bethel University and Caribou Coffee employee, completed her second mural for Caribou in August. Originally employed at the Roseville Crossings location in Roseville, Minn., Rader began working part time, and after a semester away at Bethel University's New York Center for Art & Media Studies (NYCAMS) in New York City, she was asked by her manager to paint the Caribou logo on a small wall of the establishment.

The artwork showcases a caribou figure according to the theme, "What do people stay awake for?" Within its outline Rader illustrated a collection of activities for each season, depicting the year-round activities that Caribou coffee helps people "stay awake for." After her first mural, Radar's manager transferred stores. "He asked me if I would transfer, too," she explains, "and do a larger mural at the second store."

For her second mural, Rader was given the freedom to exercise her personal creativity in deciding the theme and overall image. She decided to paint an outdoor landscape of Minnesota, showcasing the different animals and scenery of both southern and northern Minnesota, in line with the theme "What do you love about Minnesota?" Like her first mural, it includes a portion of chalkboard paint, inviting customers to interact with the art and personally respond to the themed questions.

"I decided that Minnesota is the key factor in why Caribou is so unique...because no matter where Caribou is located, it always has a Minnesota vibe to it," Rader explains. "The second mural was really close to my heart...I tried to incorporate everything that I truly love about Minnesota: I used driftwood from the Mississippi to make the border, and I also used fishing lures that I found on the bottom of Lake Mille Lacs. It was fun to be able to use those elements that were so personal to me."

Rader's Minnesota mural drew the attention of Caribou's CEO Michael Tattersfield, who attended the August 29 unveiling ceremony. After partnering with Rader to cut the ribbon, he was the first to write on the chalkboard paint of the mural.

"It is always nice when our students' talents are valued outside of Bethel, especially when that leads to a professional commission such as this," Bethel University Professor of Art History Wayne Roosa comments. "It encourages other students working with us when they see one of their fellow student's abilities and work valued publicly...It then becomes one more example that Bethel's art faculty can point to regarding the strong presence of artists who studied with us and who are now 'out there' in the community contributing."

Bethel University is a leader in Christ-centered higher education with approximately 6,600 students from 48 states and 25 countries enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, seminary, and adult education programs. Based in St. Paul, Minn., with additional seminary locations on both coasts, Bethel offers rigorous bachelor's and advanced degrees in nearly 100 relevant fields. Programs are taught by renowned faculty within a distinctly evangelical Christian framework, equipping women and men for culturally sensitive leadership, scholarship, and service around the world. For further information on Bethel University, go to www.bethel.edu.

(Written by Samantha Allgood, Bethel University '12)