A live painting opportunity at Ball State University led to a paid mural commission for art student Taylor Woodruff—giving her hands-on professional experience and connecting her with two recent alumni in a meaningful way.
In late 2025, Ms. Woodruff was selected as one of three student artists to showcase their work through live art experiences during the social hour of Ball State’s annual Power of Beneficence event, which celebrates the generous donors, alumni, and friends who support the University’s philanthropic initiatives and student scholarships. During the event, her art and personality caught the attention of 2023 Ball State graduates Jalen Pleak and Alexa “Lexi” Pleak, who later offered to commission her to design and paint a large mural in their home.
It was a project unlike any she had done before, and she was upfront about that with the Pleaks from the beginning.
After discussions in the days following the dinner, Ms. Woodruff agreed to do the mural and received more than money for her work.
“I gained a lot of art experience and an understanding of what it takes to create art on such a large scale,” Ms. Woodruff explained. “Knowing that I hadn’t done work of this size before, they took a chance on me. Plus, they’re just really good people. I’m glad I met them.
“I wouldn’t have met the Pleaks if it weren’t for that opportunity to be one of the students doing the live art demonstrations at the dinner,” she added. “I’m grateful to them, to Ball State, and the School of Art.”
Trusting Her with Their Vision
Lexi Pleak said she and Jalen wanted to transform the bare, white walls in part of their new home with a large, colorful mural featuring images that are significant to the couple.
They also wanted the artist to be someone with whom they had a connection or could naturally establish one. Given their strong ties to Ball State, the Pleaks had decided long before the dinner to offer a paid commission to a talented Ball State student artist whose work they liked.
In addition to being their alma mater, Ball State is where the Indiana natives met, dated, and, years later, got engaged in front of the University’s Beneficence statue. Grateful for all of that, plus their solid education and positive college experience, they have remained involved with the University. Offering this paid opportunity to a Ball State student artist became another way to give back.
During the social hour at the Alumni & Benefactors Dinner, alumni attendees engaged with the students doing the art demonstrations. Jalen and Lexi Pleak were there as guests of another Ball State alum and were not thinking about their search for a student artist. But after seeing Ms. Woodruff’s art and talking with her, they knew she was the one.
“Her artistic style and the way she was designing her art, and talking about it—Jalen and I really enjoyed that,” Lexi Pleak said about Ms. Woodruff. Jalen Pleak said Ms. Woodruff’s creativity, authenticity, and passion for her work were palpable when the couple met her.
Ms. Woodruff was upfront about not having done artwork of this size and scale previously. But she expressed confidence in her abilities and a willingness to try, further bolstering the couple’s confidence in the student artist.
“After talking to her and seeing her work, we just trusted her with our vision, and she came through for us,” Mr. Pleak said.
From Vision to Art
Translating ideas into a large-scale, cohesive piece of storytelling art can be challenging. After seeking some advice from a couple of her art professors, Ms. Woodruff began by listening as the Pleaks explained their vision for a mural that would incorporate various elements of their shared life’s journey.
Those elements included a cardinal symbolizing Ball State; the Indy 500 checkered flag, because Lexi Pleak was once an Indy 500 Princess; peonies, Indiana’s state flower; and the Général Jacqueminot rose—also known as “General Jack” or “Jack Rose”—the official flower of Jalen’s fraternity and Lexi’s sorority at Ball State.
The mural also reflects a few more personal details: Jalen likes frogs. Lexi likes snapdragons. And the couple loves Cooper, their beagle. Cooper’s portrait is featured in a special corner of the mural.
Working on and off at times convenient for her and the Pleaks, Ms. Woodruff completed the painting she freehanded on the two large adjoining walls in about 60 hours.
“We wanted her to create art using our vision, but we left her with a lot of free rein. I think that really shines in the piece. And I think that’s what made it work,” Lexi Pleak said.
More Than a Mural
In addition to displaying significant images of the Pleaks’ shared past, the mural also played a role in the couple sharing an important story about their future. Jalen and Lexi invited family members to see the mural and surprised their loved ones with the news of Lexi’s pregnancy.
And the Pleaks got the natural connection they hoped for with the artist.
“Having Taylor in our home for eight to 10, almost 12 hours some days, we got to know her quite a bit,” Lexi Pleak said. “She’s talented, smart, and professional. And she is just the sweetest person.
“It makes me really proud when we talk with people about the mural because we can talk about the meaning behind the images, our connection with Taylor, her talent, and our support of Ball State and its students,” Ms. Pleak added.
Taylor Woodruff is pursuing a bachelor of fine arts degree through Ball State’s School of Art in the College of Fine Arts. She is also minoring in entrepreneurship and innovation through the Department of Management in the Miller College of Business.
Lexi Pleak earned her bachelor of science degree in elementary education with a concentration in English as a Second Language (ESL) from Teachers College.
Jalen Pleak earned his bachelor of arts degree in business administration and human resource management from Miller College of Business.
