Lee to host largest Senior Art Showcase to date
Anna Robbins' artwork will be a part of Lee's Senior Art Showcase from Tuesday, April 25 to Friday, May 4.
Photo by Debra Robbins
The artwork of Lee University’s largest graduating class of art majors will be on display for the Senior Art Showcase from Tuesday, April 25 to Thursday, May 4. The showcase is a chance for the students to display their own original body of art focusing on a theme of their choice.
“This is our largest class of graduating art majors and features students with outstanding talents in both studio and graphic design emphasizes,” said John Simmons, assistant professor of art. “We are very proud of their accomplishments and urge the Lee and Cleveland communities to come out and enjoy their work.”
The artwork will be on display in the Communication Arts Building, Helen DeVos College of Education, Humanities Center, and Squires Library, all located on Lee’s campus, and at Cleveland Workspace, located at the Old Woolen Mill.
Anna Robbins, a senior studio art major, will have her work displayed in the lobby of Squires Library during the event.
“It was nice to have the opportunity to build my own portfolio and find my style within an academic setting,” said Robbins. “I’m very interested in depicting the raw and natural state of one’s true self and finding beauty in it through portraiture; that was the theme of my pieces.”
Amelia Range's artwork on display for the Senior Art Showcase.
Photo by Debra Robbins
According to Ruthie Martin, a senior art major, her piece attempts to embody and honor the people who have influenced her during her time at Lee and helped shape her into the woman she is today.
“The use of color across the piece from cool to warm depicts the warmth that comes with feeling fully like yourself and the true peace that comes with loving yourself,” said Martin. “The ebb and flow that the colors make throughout my piece represents the fluctuation of my own journey, reflected through the people that have been present for it.”
Assistant Professor of Art Mary Mathias-Dickerson said that Ruthie is a “fine example of what all the students are doing, which is displaying talent mixed with experiences they have attained throughout their college careers.”
Each of the students will also have one piece displayed at the Museum Center at 5ive Points in downtown Cleveland. A closing reception will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 4 at the museum.
The pieces featured at Cleveland Workspace can be viewed Tuesday, April 25 through Thursday, May 4 from 11:30a.m.- 4p.m. by stopping at Glassworks next door, or by contacting Barry Currin at (423) 618-3219 to make an appointment. An open studio reception with refreshments and live music will take place on Friday, April 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Cleveland Workspace.
Lee senior art major Justin Sigel is pictured here working on his showcase piece.
Photo courtesy of the Lee University Public Relations Office.
An “Art Walk: Traveling Reception” will be held on Friday, April 28, starting at 4 p.m. on the lawn of the Mayfield Annex. This will be a chance for people to walk to the various locations and view all of the art before ending at Cleveland Workspace for the reception, according to Mathias-Dickerson.
According to Simmons, the university often purchases exceptional pieces to be added to the school’s art collection. Certain artwork will be available for purchase, and prices will be available upon request.
All art showings and the closing reception are free and open to students, faculty and the public.
