Seniors Hold Art Gallery That Showcases Their Visions For The Future

Art enthusiasts, aspiring creators, proud parents and curious students mingled through the Senior Studio Art Show on opening night, gazing at sculptures, paintings, woven art and more covering the walls and spaces within.

The SADA Art Gallery is a way for seniors to present the culmination of their years of hard work to the public and student body.  

The central theme of the showcase is the word ‘visionary’ in homage to the seniors looking towards their next steps as artists. Each student’s portfolio expounds on this imaginative idea in a broad range of media and techniques personal to them. 

This theme provides a framework for the exhibit while allowing students to demonstrate their own personal flair. 

Paintings and drawings display both vivid colors and simplistic monochrome. Landscapes range from beaches and street corners to galaxy and underwater scenes. 

Some subjects are biblically based, while others draw inspiration from real life, Pinterest or the Marvel universe. Sculptures from polymer clay to flower wreaths display the differing styles and stories of each artist. 

Senior Sophie Bland’s sequence of whimsical watercolors are a tribute to her late brother Silas. The scenes are set in Bland’s own garden and living room in her hometown of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. They depict young Silas picking flowers to bring to his mother, followed closely by his beloved cat Mabel. 

“It’s a difficult part of my testimony and yet transforming it to art brings honor and glory to God,” Bland said. “Art can turn something that the devil tries to steal into a celebration of life.” 

Bland is majoring in studio art, but she is also working towards a teacher’s license. Her love for children influences her artistic choices. 

“[Children] are so innocent and vibrant,” Bland said. “They see the world so differently than we do.” 

Students provided a wide variety of creative examples within the gallery.

Bland’s section of the exhibit demonstrates this passion. All of her art retains the fanciful style of a children’s book, with flowers, rainbows and smiles. Her portfolio is not limited to just paintings, but includes mediums such as crocheting, felting and a hanging mobile. 

“Why pick just one?” Bland said. 

Artist Christina Davis’ favorite piece on display is her polymer clay Russian tank sculpture decorated with blue Siberian squill flowers and chamomile. The tank, part of a project series for her sculpture class, highlights an interesting juxtaposition between broken down machines and the overgrowth of new life. 

“I’m a little bit of a tomboy,” Davis said. “I love flowers, but I also love military tanks. I don’t think they have to be separate.”

Even just within her section of the exhibit, Davis’ work is a medley of styles. A set of graphite line art shows a daffodil being plucked and gifted, a more candid, simplistic demonstration of the symbolism of flowers.  

“Flowers are a sign of hope,” Davis said. “A flower can lift my mood whenever I feel down. It’s such a simple, easy way to give hope.”  

The Senior Studio Art Show will feature these senior art pieces and more until April 8 in Green Hall 1855.

Sonia Long is a Feature Reporter.

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