Three murals created by IVCC students last spring have been walled in to create storage during the building C renovation project.
The works, located in alcoves of the tunnel in building A, were the largest of the pieces by students enrolled in Painting, Design and Advanced Drawing classes.
Part of a campus beautification project, the murals adorned what was previously a plain concrete wall.
Larry Rousey, director of facilities, said the alcove space is needed for storage during the time building C will be closed. Art instructor Dana Collins said she's disappointed the art department was not notified that the works would be covered.
Rousey said, "With the limited amount of storage room available in the other five continuous buildings on the main campus, and the enormity of the move of all included in the C building, we have chosen areas that are functional for storage."
He continued, "These alcoves are viable storage areas that allow us to use them as storage and not violate any Life Safety codes for egress in the tunnel."
He said walls were necessary for security of the stored items.
"At this time they are considered temporary storage," he said.
Collins said: "As the co-chair of the campus beautification committee, I am especially hurt by the failure to even consult of advise me before covering these murals.
"I have been trying to encourage students to contribute their art to beautify the campus," she said. "Now the students feel disillusioned. I believe that my efforts are undermined by this decision."
The smaller murals, that line a wall in the building B tunnel, remain visible.