Mufalo Mufalo ’26 Bridges Art and Community Through CELA

Mufalo Mufalo ’26 has used Oberlin’s Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA) to connect his academic journey with meaningful artistic and community-based work, shaping a college experience defined by both personal growth and public engagement.

A double major in neuroscience and studio art, Mufalo describes his four years at Oberlin as “truly transformative and deeply rewarding.” He says the college gave him a deeper understanding of a liberal arts education—one that challenged him academically while pushing him to think critically, engage diverse perspectives, and develop a stronger sense of self beyond the classroom.

A central part of this experience has been the Bonner Scholars Program. 

“From the very beginning, this community has been a family to me,” he says. “It has provided me with a sense of belonging and continuity throughout my college journey.”

Through Bonner, Mufalo built lasting relationships with peers and faculty, creating a strong sense of continuity during his time at Oberlin. Even with formal meetings only once a month, “each meeting feels incredibly special, almost like a reunion,” he says, underscoring the depth of the community he has found. Bonner Scholars mentors, including Program Director Gabby Valentine and Coordinator Evyn Lundy ’23, played an important role by offering both professional guidance and personal support.

Mufalo also engaged with the local arts community through his work with the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA) in downtown Oberlin. The experience gave him practical insight into the art world while connecting his creative work to the broader community. He later was selected as an artist-in-residence for Winter Term 2026, a milestone that reflects both his growth and commitment to his practice. He describes it as “one of the proudest milestones of my personal and artistic journey.”

Through CELA’s emphasis on experiential learning, Mufalo also carried out a Projects for Peace initiative in his home country of Zambia. Selected through Oberlin’s Winter Term Office, he collaborated with local artists to create murals that promote artistic expression and enhance public spaces. The project reflects his belief in art as a tool for connection, engagement, and community building.

Reflecting on this work, Mufalo says it strengthened his commitment to using visual art to shape how people perceive themselves, others, and the world around them. “Today, my artistic practice is driven not only by aesthetics or self-expression, but also by a desire to communicate ideas and provoke thoughtful reflection.” 

To learn more about Projects for Peace and other grants at Oberlin, check out CELA.