By Marianne Luedeman
Photos by Marianne Luedeman
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb University Department of Communication, Art, and Design is currently hosting a student art showcase throughout the Communication Studies Hall.
The semester showcase contains the collective work of over 30 students and over 60 pieces of artwork from a variety of mediums and disciplines. The pieces, selected by a panel of faculty judges, include paintings, digital photographs, sculptures, digital designs and prints among many other types of art.
The exhibit originated from Professor Matthew Jones’ desire to see student work more prominently displayed in the art section of the building. Jones would go on to share the idea with his fellow faculty and staff members, noting that “we all thought it would be a good idea to highlight the whole department, so this partnership just grew from there.”
The completed show was the collaborative effort of the department’s full faculty and staff as well as the students who submitted their art for display.
For Jessica Maloney, a professor who specializes in photography and videography, the student showcase was particularly special.
“I have been dreaming all year of filling this hall with images and projects that our students have done. It is so exciting to see drawings, paintings, and sculptures that we don’t always get to see on a daily basis,” said Maloney.
“The whole point of the showcase is to show what everyone is doing in all of our classes, that way we can feature the great variety of work we have here,” she continued.
For their efforts, numerous students also received awards recognizing their creativity, skill and artistic ability as decided upon by a panel of faculty judges.
Michelle Hamböcker received the Excellence in Drawing award for her drawing entitled Portrait of a Woman. Sarah Bracken received the Excellence in Painting and Excellence in Sculpture awards for her self-portrait and her sculpture entitled Embrace while Isabelle Gallimore received the Excellence in Printmaking award for her print entitled I Don’t Bite.
Phineas Garlock further received the Excellence in Graphic Design award for his John Singer Sargent brochure and Dakota Hawxwell received the Excellence in Photography award for his photo Spotlight.
From a student perspective, many of Gardner-Webb’s student artists wholeheartedly embraced the chance to have their work featured throughout the Communication Studies Hall.
“I wanted to put something (in the show) because I’m very early in my college career and art career, so I wanted to put my work out there to teach me about the process, how the system works, and how to get my work out to students on campus,” said sophomore art major Forest Blackston.
“I chose to submit work in the student art show because I want to get my stuff out there and participate in the art department. I thought it was a great opportunity for people to see what I have to offer and to see what my peers are doing,” continued junior graphic design major Albani Williams.
Senior art major Megan Addington further added that “to submit is a fun way to showcase my artwork. I think it’s a great idea to hold a show like this. It gives more attention to our communications and art programs, and it lets our students showcase their work.”
Students and community members are all encouraged to attend the showcase to show support to the university’s student artists. It will remain up until May 2.
Junior student artist Storm Brooks, an education major, wanted to share with those interested that “it’s been wonderful to be here, I loved all the pieces and especially the charcoal pieces. The paintings are especially beautiful.”
For questions about the showcase or about the Department of Communication, Art, and Design, Department Chair Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon can be reached at [email protected].
To view digital versions of the selected artwork, please see the gallery below. Clicking on a photo will show the full-sized image.
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