The Slippery Rock community is more vibrant because of a group of Slippery Rock University students who left their mark, thanks to a collaborative project with a local business. Six art students painted a colorful mural on the wall inside the Fuzzy Monkey Coffee Co. located at 354 South Main Street, just across the street from SRU’s campus.
The students were provided a concept and color palette by the owners of Fuzzy Monkey before applying their own artistic design and creative touches to a 42-foot wall that runs the entire length of the seating area of the coffee shop. The mural is a jungle scene that includes monkeys representing the café’s “monkey series” line of coffees.
“They said make it fun and that’s what we did,” said Krista Polanofsky, a 2025 graduate with a degree in art. “It’s nice to have an example of the work that we do in the Art Department close by and to sign our names on something that people can see in the community.”
Doug Simmons, owner of the Fuzzy Monkey, reached out to Heather Hertel, professor of art, last fall, months before the shop was set to open, to inquire about having art students paint a mural. Hertel then recruited student volunteers who came up with a sketch, and, once approved, the students painted the mural over three days and 12 hours.
“By engaging with the University’s artists, we not only support local talent but also foster a deeper connection with the community we live in and serve,” Simmons said. “It was unbelievable how they started with just basic shapes and ended up with an incredible piece of art. We love how it ended up, and it 100% fits our brand –– fun and colorful. We feel the mural is a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the vibrant energy that both our café and the University bring to the area.”
After the shop officially opened in April, the students’ work has been revealed to the public.
“Our customers love it, and we have had many say they have told their friends it’s a must-see,” Simmons said. “Since we opened, it’s been exciting to see and hear how the community has really enjoyed the mural.”
The six contributors to the mural included:
- Link Berger, a 2025 graduate with a degree in art from Oakmont (Riverview HS).
- Camille Bupp, a senior art major from Harmony (Portersville Christian HS).
- Megan Evans, a senior art major from Zelienople (Freedom HS).
- Riley Lennon, a junior art major from New Castle (Shenango HS).
- Krista Polanofsky, a 2025 graduate with a degree in art from Mount Pleasant (Mount Pleasant HS).
- Alex Zieg, a senior art major from Slippery Rock.
More information about the art program at SRU is available on the department’s webpage.
