Diocese of Gary

WHITING – As students began arriving on the Calumet College of St. Joseph campus for another semester of classes, they may have noticed a few new aesthetic changes, including a mural of St. Joseph the Worker. A local artist, who is a native of East Chicago, created the art.

Felix “Flex” Maldonado is a self-taught artist with 35+ years of experience in painting, drawing and graffiti art. In 1995, he received his BFA in Advertising with a minor in Graphic Design from the American Academy of Art in Chicago. His work has landed him at several ad agencies in Chicago, directing and producing commercials. In 2003, Felix partnered to create CISA Studio LLC, a creative art services company producing work locally and around the country, from murals, custom paint and airbrushing to advertising, design and multimedia.
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Brian Lowry, vice president of institutional advancement, called Maldonado an incredible artist and stated the school is lucky to have another mural by him on campus. He had previously completed a painting showcasing diversity in the region. The newest project would depict one of the Catholic saints.
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“We were thrilled that his schedule allowed him to complete the St. Joseph mural for us,” Lowry said.
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St. Joseph is the patron of Calumet College of St. Joseph, so that made him a natural subject for the mural. The school also recently renovated a previously inaccessible floor of the Smidt Building, the main academic building, and it will tell the story of “The Work” of the Region when it is complete.
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“When we realized we could incorporate the two themes together, it solidified the decision,” Lowry said.
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Lowry shared that he personally admires St. Joseph’s humility, adding that he wishes he could be more like him.
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“I appreciate that he is known for hard work and sacrifice, as well,” Lowry said. “These are virtues we can all strive to emulate.”
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Thanks to the Lilly Endowment’s “College and Community Collaboration Initiative,” Calumet College has been able to transform a number of spaces in the neighborhood and on campus. The crown jewel of these spaces is the newly rehabilitated 7th floor. The renovation brought the elevators all the way up and built out gathering spaces to host student lounging, community events and other activities. The hope is to start renting those spaces later this year.
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The mural is located on a rooftop terrace that overlooks the Chicago skyline, the sweep of Lake Michigan, the Whiting-Robertsdale community and the BP Refinery. According to Lowry, “There is no other view like it.”

Lowry shared that Calumet College let Maldonado do most of the creating, providing a little input along the way. The vision he came up with blended elements of traditional Christian iconography, the Calumet Region and symbols associated with the college.
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“They approached me with the thought of coming up with something that represents St. Joseph, but in modern times,” Maldonado said. “They wanted something great and monumental – something that was of significance for them.”
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Maldonado then set out to do some research and reflect on how he would see St. Joseph today as a modern worker. He then came up with a proposal and presented his thoughts to those at the college who loved his ideas. While not the biggest mural he has done in his career, Maldonado felt honored to be given the opportunity to complete one of such importance to the institution.
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Maldonado shared that completing the artwork was challenging as the weather was rainy and windy at the time, and he was outside on the seventh floor utilizing a ladder. He also navigated some construction that was being done around him as we worked.
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“There were a lot of factors involved that tested me, but thank God I got through them and we got it done,” he said. “So, I was pretty honored to do this one, because of the importance to the school and to the Church.”
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Maldonado describes the mural as unique, and one that he hopes shows the story of St. Joseph. Although the tales of Jesus’ foster father are brief, he noted it is no less relevant to continue sharing his life in the present.
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“He was a good father, a hard-working man, a God-fearing man, so it's something that I hope the students and the public can understand with the language I put into it and the symbolism.”
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The description the college provides for the work reads: “This spray-painted work is a modern interpretation of our patron, St. Joseph the Worker. Joseph wears his traditional color, green, in the style of a coat often worn by industry workers. The boy, who represents Jesus, wears a T-shirt with red (symbolizing the blood shed on the cross), green (representing eternal life) and gold (kingship). The three nails and two beams of wood represent the Crucifixion. Joseph is traditionally presented with three lilies and a carpenter’s square, which are incorporated into Flex’s design.
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It continues, “Elements from the college’s seal are included: the dove carrying an olive branch (a traditional symbol of peace) and the lamp of learning, which is incorporated into the refinery skyline in the background. Nine flames in this skyline represent the Judeo-Christian symbol of divine completeness. The folds in Joseph’s coat appear to radiate from the child’s head, indicating a halo.”
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Lowry hopes those who view the art will walk away with the understanding that saints are not “dead and dusty figures from thousands of years ago.”
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“They are among us,” he said. “We are called to be them. Wouldn’t it be a wonderful thing to be a saint?”
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Lowry noted that faith, lived through the charism of the Missionaries of the Precious Blood, inspires everything Calumet College does. He said that mission starts by striving to make college accessible to anyone and everyone who wants to pursue a degree. He feels that many students who are first-generation college students, or those who are unsure of themselves, find a home at the school. Many student athletes who want to keep playing their sport can join a team.
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“Our faith is visible not only in the imagery in classrooms and in our chapel, but in the countless interactions faculty and staff share with students,” Lowry said. “We help them grow into the people they were created to be. Our faith inspires us to serve our students and our community with a spirit of openness and generosity.”

Calumet College of St. Joseph’s 75th Anniversary Birthday Bash is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 19. Everyone is welcome for an evening of food, live music, family activities, campus tours, and fellowship. For tickets and additional information, visit https://www.ccsj.edu/75th-anniversary/