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Interactive media sophomore Garrison Colcote unveils a new spirit horse during the 2025 MavsMeet Kickoff on Aug. 18 at College Park Center. The horse sits in front of the Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building.<\/p>\n
Photo by Samarie Goffney<\/a><\/p>\n A constellation trails along an orange and blue sunset on UTA\u2019s newest spirit horse, now on display at the Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building. <\/p>\n Maximus Eventus was painted by interactive media sophomore Garrison Calcote. Inspired by UTA\u2019s 130th anniversary, it features various signifiers of Arlington’s history in the form of a constellation, with images taken from UTA\u2019s library archives, and the Dallas and Arlington skylines near the hooves. <\/p>\n \u201cThe idea is supposed to be those constellations and asterisms, and actually how real-life constellations and asterisms guide us,\u201d Calcote said. \u201cIt ties in with the idea of the memories made at UTA. Those things guide us. Those things are very timeless.\u201d <\/p>\n Calcote said he came in for eight hours every day for about a month to paint Maximus Eventus, which is about the size of a real horse. <\/p>\n \u201cI thought the whole thing was going to fall on me,\u201d he said. \u201cI had no sort of plan. I just sort of went through it and just did it.\u201d <\/p>\n Calcote said this was his first time painting and that Maximus Eventus will go into his portfolio to show off his imaginative skills. <\/p>\n As the process began, Calcote decided to project the design onto the horse to guide him. He was joined by his high school friend Grace Cowger, who has experience painting. <\/p>\n It took Calcote and Cowger about eight tries to master the sunset gradient because of how quickly the paint dried. <\/p>\n \u201cWe’ve had to go a bit harder with some of the colors, and then pull back into using a bit more white, making sure that it looks good from a distance, making sure it looks good with the sunset and also compared to the rest of the horse,\u201d Calcote said. <\/p>\n Calcote said that while painting the horse, he would get to share the experience with those walking by. <\/p>\n Interactive media sophomore Garrison Calcote views Maximus Eventus, the spirit horse, for the first time on display Aug. 22 at the Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building. The horse was unveiled during the 2025 MavsMeet Kickoff on Aug. 18.<\/p>\n Photos by Joel Solis<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI’ve had people just stand there and just watch me through the window,\u201d he said. \u201cI’ve had people come up to me asking me, \u2018Are you the painter for it?\u2019 \u2018Yes, I\u2019m the painter for it.\u2019 And I would ask, \u2018How does it look?\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n He said he wanted to receive feedback because it\u2019s easy to become blind to certain things as an artist when working on one piece for so long. <\/p>\n \u201cI just can’t see what’s right and what’s wrong, what\u2019s working and what’s not,\u201d he said. \u201cBut families have come up to me saying it looks really good. They actually got the idea that it is the skyline with the blue and orange and sunset.\u201d <\/p>\n Student Activities coordinator Chrysta Porter said the spirit horse program was begun to increase student engagement. Currently, there are 16 horses scattered around campus and downtown Arlington. <\/p>\n The program is led by the UTA Ambassadors, who select the artist and manage the logistics. <\/p>\n Program coordinator Gianni Mills said they picked Calcote\u2019s design because it encompassed everything UTA had to offer. <\/p>\n Interactive media sophomore Garrison Calcote looks at his signature on Maximus Eventus\u2019 hoof Aug. 22 at the Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building. Calcote finished painting the horse Aug. 12.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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