From an eye-catching The Rolling Stones “Some Girls” poster to a classic “Pulp Fiction” poster, the poster sale at the Student Center Fountain Area offered a variety of prints catered to every corner of pop culture. As MU students settled into their dorms and apartments, many used posters as a personal touch to decorate their new spaces.
The MU student life department teamed up with Pyramid Posters to host the 10-day event that began on Aug. 18. The company travels to different college campuses across the country. According to Pyramid Poster employee Andy Taylor , the company supports fair trade and provides good working conditions for their employees who make the posters. All products offered are sourced from companies that have safe practices.
“We’re just happy to be a part of [the poster sale] and see you guys smiling, in a good mood and stoked that you can put a piece of yourself on your wall and express yourself,” Taylor said.
Kalika Stiles
MU sophomore Kalika Stiles bought numerous posters such as a BTS and a “Nightmare on Elm Street” Freddy Krueger poster.
“I got the posters, first of all, because I need some decoration in my room,” Stiles said. “Second, it shows my range of interests. No matter who you are, you can be interested in anything: I’m a woman of color and I’m into K-pop and horror movies, but I’m also into Harry Styles.”
Through opening a personal space like a room to others, students can show their interests. A shared interest has the possibility of fostering connections and cultivating conversation. Stiles said that her posters give her room personality and allow her to feel more comfortable in her space.
“[Events like this] help people get to know each other,” Stiles said. “It’s a place for everybody.”
Haley Jahn
UMKC sophomore Haley Jahn purchased a Rolling Stones “Some Girls” poster.
“I think it’s always so boring just sitting in a room with nothing,” Jahn said. “There’s no personality, there’s nothing to look at and nothing to kind of remind you of home. So, adding some color and some things that you like to look at makes it feel like a place you want to go home to and unwind after a long day.”
Jahn said the poster sales have a wide selection for people of all interests. She thinks MU should host more events like it because of the turnout and popularity of the event.
“It’s a fun way for students to come and get something to make [a] room feel more like home,” Jahn said. “As they feel more at home in their room, they go out more and they get to interact with people here and just get a feel for campus life and the community at Mizzou.”
Johnny Sterrett
MU sophomore Johnny Sterrett got an “Pulp Fiction” poster featuring a notable scene with Uma Thurman.
“[The poster sale] was a nice surprise,” Sterrett said. “The posters caught my eye [and] put a smile on my face.”
Sterrett describes himself as expressive, but he felt he was snubbed of community bonding events like the poster sale because of COVID-19. He said the event makes him feel more welcomed.
“One of the things I admire about Quentin Tarantino is how he frames the scenes,” Sterrett said. “I feel it’s almost similar to how you arrange your room; [with a poster] you wake up and you see something that’s almost inspiring to start your day.”
Edited by Shannon Worley | sworley@themaneater.com
