State Art Mashup: Collegiate Art

So if you've been around Pinterest enough, you've probably seen state string art:  basically people nail some nails into a board in the shape of their state, put a heart wherever their city is, and attach it all together with string.  You've probably also seen some wall art, where people use glue to make a design on canvas and then paint over it.

Well, recently I'd asked a dentist to write me a letter of recommendation for dental school, and I'd told him I would bake him cookies or something to thank him, to which he said, "No, make me something artsy."  I accepted that challenge and while I was trying to figure out what I could make, I considered both of these ideas, and then I thought, "Hey, why not combine them?!"  So I did.  To make this:

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