Shorter students Laura Bowen, Matt Bradley, Oudvin Cassel, Mitzi Davis and Emily Vines worked during the night, even throughout the night at times, to complete the project within the two-and-a-half-week deadline.

“They worked really hard on this, and it is quite impressive,” said Brian Taylor, chair of Shorter’s art department and associate professor of art.

On Nov. 13, McDonald’s officials named the area the “Shorter Jungle Gallery” and dedicated it to these five students.

The students’ artistic contributions seem to have paid off. Owner/operator Charles Spann credits the eye-appeal of the restaurant as one of the main factors of re-opening success. According to a Dec. 3 article in the Rome News-Tribune, “The West Rome McDonald’s that opened last month beat opening week sales at more than 750 restaurants in the four-state Atlanta Region by double digits.”