Art in the OSU
Step inside the Otter Student Union and you'll discover more than just a building—you’ll find a gallery of stories waiting to be told. Every mural and installation throughout the OSU reflects the vibrant voices, cultures, and identities that make up our CSUMB community. These works of art aren’t just decorative—they’re intentional expressions of who we are, what we’ve experienced, and where we’re headed.
Curated with care by the OSU Board of Directors’ Art Committee, each piece brings new life and meaning to our shared space. As the collection grows, so will this space—with stories behind the artwork and the artists who created them.
Come explore, connect, and see yourself reflected in the art of the OSU.
Alebrije del Mar: Where Culture Swims and Spirit Soars
Year Created: 2025
Installation Location: OSU 3rd Floor next to OC3This vibrant mural, inspired by the traditional Oaxacan art form of alebrijes, stands as a powerful tribute to the diverse spirit of the Monterey/Salinas region and the creative energy of the Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) community. Rooted in the coastal beauty of Monterey Bay and shaped by the dreamlike tradition of alebrijes, the mural honors the cultural identities of CSUMB students. It captures the unity, imagination, and resilience of a community that, like the sea, is ever-evolving and deeply connected. Let this alebrije otter serve as a symbol of creativity, belonging, and the enduring power of art to bridge cultures and inspire generations to come.
Alebrijes: Born from the vivid dreams of Mexican artist Pedro Linares Lopez, alebrijes are fantastical creatures composed of various animal elements. Known for their brilliant colors and intricate patterns, they embody the rich symbolism of Mexican folk art and serve as spiritual and cultural symbols of imagination, identity, and transformation.
Our Otter: This playful alebrije otter reimagines the CSUMB mascot through a lens of cultural celebration. Every design and motif on the otter’s body carries deep significance—honoring elements of Latinx and Indigenous heritage. From radiant sunbursts to traditional geometric forms, the artwork tells stories of ancestry, strength, and artistic legacy. Set within an underwater landscape inspired by Monterey Bay’s iconic kelp forests, the mural grounds our otter in the local ecosystem—symbolizing our deep connection to the surrounding land and sea as both a campus and a community.
This mural aims to:
- Bridge Cultural Understanding: Foster connection and appreciation across diverse cultures through expressive visual storytelling.
- Foster Community: Encourage collaboration and creative dialogue among students, faculty, and staff.
- Inspire Wonder: Celebrate imagination, identity, and the beautiful fusion that happens through cultural exchange.
Our Students: This mural reflects the diverse and dynamic student body at CSUMB. It celebrates the many voices, backgrounds, and lived experiences that enrich our campus and shape our collective identity. As a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), we honor the cultural heritage, resilience, and contributions of our students. This mural is a tribute to their stories, their spirit, and their vital role in shaping the future of our university and beyond.
OSU Board & Process: Murals are more than just visual art, they tell stories, highlight places, and honor the people who bring them to life. The OSU Board has championed this project from the very beginning, bringing together student voices, the Visual & Performing Arts program, local arts organization Hijos del Sol, and members of the wider CSUMB community. This mural is the result of collaboration, creativity, and a shared vision of inclusion and celebration.
Student Artist: We extend our gratitude to student artist Maria Ruiz for her invaluable contributions to the design of this vibrant alebrije otter.
Message from the Artist:
There are no limits to what an Alebrije can look like and the possibilities are endless. These animal-like creatures are products of its creator’s imagination, which makes them unique representatives of the artist’s mind and state of being. For this project six representations of animals were chosen. An otter, which is the mascot and heart of CSUMB, represents us. A wolf tail to represent freedom and courageousness. Fish fins that represent the unconscious of higher-self, feelings, and motives. Axolotl ears symbolize transformation without change. A lion's mane to represent leadership and strength. And finally anglerfish fish antennas to represent acceptance, teaching us how to navigate the unknown with grace and understanding to speak to all the graduating students like myself.
This art piece took well over 70 hours to design. With several team meetings, feedback and revisions and lots of dedication to finish due a certain date. The committee and I decided to choose specific patterns for the Alebrije.
For example:
- Waves - that represent connectivity and flow. Signifying water, which is a crucial element in Mexican culture, representing life, purity, and renewal.
- Zigzags - representing energy embodying dynamic motion and power
- Geometric Shapes - to represent stability, balance, and the fundamentals of existence that are seen in everyday life
- Florals - Symbolizing the lushness and vibrancy of life that we should all strive to have, it also represents the beauty of nature
Thank you to the Art Committee, my coworkers and my mentor Karina for guidance and support throughout this project.
The Strangers Project
Year Installed: 2025
Installation Location: OSU 3rd FloorAn ongoing living exhibit inside the Otter Student Union
Everyone has a story—and sometimes the most powerful ones come from complete strangers.
The Strangers Project invites people to handwrite anonymous stories from their lives and share them as part of a collective storytelling experience. What started as a traveling exhibit is now a national movement, featuring over 85,000 real, personal stories from people of all backgrounds—and now, it lives here at CSUMB.
Inside the OSU, you’ll find a growing collection of handwritten stories contributed by members of our Otter community. Some are funny, others heartbreaking. Some are short confessions; others are quiet reflections. All are real.
This is an ever-evolving installation. You’re invited to read the stories—and if you’re inspired, to leave one of your own. Your words may remain here, or they might one day be part of a future Strangers Project exhibit across the country. Learn more at csumb.edu/osu/strangersproject today.
Nuestros Sueños Are Not Illegal
Year Installed: 2024
Installation Location: OSU 3rd Floor hallway near restroomsOn loan from the Visual and Public Art (VPA) Department at CSUMB
This powerful student art series, Nuestros Sueños Are NOT Illegal, invites viewers to witness the stories, resilience, and creativity of undocumented and mixed-status students in our community. Through a mix of portraiture and narrative, the work centers themes of self-identity, upward mobility, and solidarity.
Created through a semester-long workshop series led by Professor Hector Dionicio Mendoza, the exhibition is the result of collaboration between El Centro, Undocu-Success, and the VPA program. It highlights the lived experiences of CSUMB students whose dreams—and identities—refuse to be erased.
This exhibit reminds us that art can be both resistance and refuge.
Featured Artists:
Anahi Alcibar, Xitlali Amaya Romero, Berelim Bautista, Dulce Carmona, Daniela Maldonado Prudencio, Maricruz Marquez Alvarado, Guillermo Metelin Brock, Ashley Metelin Carmona, Daniela Morales Garcia, and Salma Rodriguez.