Reynolds School of Journalism Associate Dean and Professor of Electronic Media Kari Barber recently premiered her latest documentary, “The Muralist,” featuring local artist Connor Fogal, who has cerebral palsy. The film, which had its first screening on March 17 in the University’s Wells Fargo Auditorium, centers around Fogal’s life as a bodybuilder, skier, activist and artist.
Following Monday’s premiere, Fogal joined in discussion about ableism and disability access with Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities Director Randall Owen, Associate Professor of Communication Studies in Ableism Jim Cherney and disability access consultant Dave White Jr.
Barber and Fogal met a decade ago when Fogal was a student in Barber’s podcasting class, and the two have stayed in touch ever since. “Over the years, I kept always thinking somebody should do a documentary about him. But I just was so busy, I never really had the time to do so. But I always thought [...] you know, I should. Somebody should,” said Barber.
Barber decided to pursue the film when she learned of Fogal’s ongoing struggle to secure a mural contract. “When he started talking about his interest in doing a mural and looking for a mural, but not having had success yet in finding or winning any of the contracts or any of the requests for proposals or any of that, I thought, well, if he gets a mural, that would really make a nice kind of visual centerpiece for a film,” she said. After countless denied applications, an opportunity arose when Barber’s friend and Director of the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art, Stephanie Gibson, expressed a desire to have a mural added to the Front Door Gallery of the museum. Barber connected the two and Gibson offered Fogal the spot.
Barber hopes the film can contribute to larger conversations about what individuals with disabilities can achieve. “He's just really wanted to paint a mural in a public place to show what he's capable of. And part of that is to say people with disabilities are capable of things you may not understand,” Barber said. “He said people doubt him when they see his art. They think somebody's helping him. They think he didn't really do it. And that's why he likes to paint publicly, because otherwise people don't believe.”
Fogal has been passionately advocating for the introduction of a “right to repair” bill to the Nevada legislature. Currently, electric wheelchair parts are not easily accessible in many states, including Nevada. For individuals who rely on electric wheelchairs to move independently, a broken wheelchair part can result in months of dependence on others to get around. Fogal is advocating to require Nevada to keep certain electric wheelchair parts on hand, shortening repair times for these crucial mobility devices. Barber and Fogal hope that the documentary can help provide a platform to garner support for his efforts.
Fogal’s mural can be viewed in the Front Door Gallery of the Church of Fine Arts until the summer of 2025.
