On Friday, Nov. 15, the University of North Alabama’s School of the Arts department honored six seniors with a public display of their artwork before their graduation this December.
“The senior shows at the end of the semester are the highlight of the program,” said Visual Arts and Design Chair Aaron Benson. “Getting to see the work done and complete in a location that is elevating it [is a privilege].
These six fine arts majors, Kenz Baldwin, Coven Dickey, Will Farris, Sydney Johnson, Alexa Kelson and Eleanor Simmons each have their inspiration for creating their pieces.
Kenz Baldwin, a digital media major, uses her artwork as an opportunity to raise awareness for various disabilities and disorders. Her work is based on the five stages of grief, telling the story of people coming to terms with their trauma and mental illness. Baldwin hopes that her digital artwork comforts those struggling to integrate into a society that does not account for their disabilities.
Coven Dickey, a painting major, aims to capture the beauty in the world around us through her realistic paintings of places she can see from her home. In her paintings, Dickey contrasts the complex patterns of lush trees and open fields with simpler designs from clothing to create a unique landscape of intricate yet recognizable beauty.
Will Farris, a digital media major, encourages his audience to experience nature’s sheer complexity and scale through his artwork. His artwork derives from his time in Montana with his dad, where he went originally to celebrate his dad’s birthday, but came back with a greater appreciation for the natural world. Farris hopes that his work will help viewers understand that everyone is on their own path and that your journey will happen when it is meant to.
Sydney Johnson, a digital media major, uses her artwork as an opportunity to raise awareness for those without a voice. In her designs, Johnson uses pets as a gateway to advocate against smoking and vaping. Johnson shared that she knows several smokers with pets in their home, and being the owner of four cats herself, chose to be a spokeswoman for the cause. With her artwork, Johnson leaves her audience with a new perspective on an ongoing topic.
Alexa Kelson, a photography major, transports her audience into a moment of sublimity with a picture, encapsulating the depth and complexity of the world. Kelson chooses to use her photos to capture the absolute novelty and wonder found in a single point in time.
Eleanor Simmons, a painting major, uses flowers as her muse to show that a bouquet can be more than just a pretty still-life piece. From sculptures to canvases, Simmons displays different points in the life cycle of flora to articulate emotions to her viewers and aims for her artwork to provoke self-exploration in her audiences.
Despite their differing initiatives and backgrounds, all of the seniors give credit back to UNA’s SOTA department. These graduates-to-be explain that Professor Benson, Professor Chiong-Yiao Chen, Professor Robert Rausch, and numerous other mentors have all been unyielding supporters of their work since their beginning in the fine arts program.
These seniors’ artworks will be available for viewing from Nov. 15 until Dec. 13, from 2 p.m. until 5 p.m. on weekdays.
