‘World’ gets glimpse of art

By Taiylor Jordan
The TC News Reporter

TC’s annual Spring Student Art Exhibit was held April 18-29 in the Humanities building. The reception was held on April 19 for faculty, staff, students, and the community.
For some art students, this was the first time their work was on display for the public, so this was their chance to have a new experience. The art students were in attendance at the reception, and they had the opportunity to walk with President James Henry Russell as he viewed their artwork. Art students entered their work in the exhibit as well as some Art Appreciation students. There was a variety of artwork on display, such as drawings, designs, ceramics, and sculptures. This year there were approximately 120 pieces in the exhibit.

The exhibit is comprised of artwork done by art students over two semesters. According to Art Instructor Mary Jane Johnson, over the years, several students have sold some of their work. If a potential buyer is interested in buying a student’s work you are required to contact the instructor, and the instructor will ask the student if they’re interested in selling their work. If the student is willing to sell their work he or she will negotiate a reasonable price with the buyer.
The people responsible for the teaching and guidance of these talented students are Valerie Owen, Mary Jane Johnson, and Glen Knod.

Art Professor Valerie Owen stated that the art staff is proud of their student’s hard work and dedication.
“We as instructors enjoy the challenges that each assignment brings to the students,” Owen said.

The purpose of this exhibit is to display to the public the work art students have created over the two semesters or in Art Instructor Johnson’s words “Show their art to the world.”

Indeed, many art students showed their art to the “world”, such as art students Brooke Wagner and Alma Miles.

According to Wagner, art is comforting and relaxing. Two of her pieces were on display in the exhibit, the rusty Volkswagen and the pink tea cup with the daisy beside it. In this technological age, many people use the internet for diverse purposes. Wagner used Pinterest as an inspiration for her paintings. “I use Pinterest to find photos to help me learn how to paint,” she said. She plans to continue college until she earns a Master’s degree, so she can become an Art Professor in the future.

Interestingly, art student Alma Miles stated that she was previously a hairdresser for many years before shifting her focus to art. Her passion for art began approximately two or three years ago. She was intrigued by the vivid colors and depths in art. As an art student, she can see colors and 3D images that were previously unrecognizable.

“A new world is open,” she said. Her mother and sons are also very artistic; her mother is a seamstress and her sons make drawings. She is adamant about continuing college until she obtains a Master’s degree in art.
Although the art students are learning many things, they aren’t alone in their learning.

“We as instructors continue to learn ourselves,” Owen said.

In the future, the art department plans to choose some of the art pieces in the exhibit to display throughout the campus.