TEACHERS, ARTISTS, VISIONARIES
Who We Are
ALYSSA WALBERG
Digital Art
My primary intention is to highlight current advocates and inspirations of the world. In this project, I wanted to look at empowering female leaders within the Midwest. I strive to call attention to those who make a difference and see positive changes in our community through the exploration of digital art. My art helps connect me to current events, highlighting the midwest, and pushes me to create another voice that is shouting for change and unity
HOLLY MCKEEVER
Multi-medium
As I create art, I think about how it's going to be used, displayed and interacted with. I also like to think about how I can make art assessable for all. Making art out of anything stimulates artists of all ages to create with what they have available to them. The experience and subject matters of my art are items that have meaning to me. My Childrens faces, the sunset, gemstones, and versatility. I utilize art as a tool for strengthening my mental health and creativity.
JACOB (JAKE) MAZOUREK
Sculptural Ceramics
As an educator constantly looking to help my students expand the conversation on art, my work aims to explore and discuss expectations around wheel-thrown ceramic work. Building each form by hand, I choose to explore stereotypes in pottery, taking work normally done through the use of a potter’s wheel and hand-building the bowls, plates, teapots, and spoons to discuss how these forms are commonly seen in the same way. In turn, I instead place each item into a sculptural work, asking for the viewer to consider their own experience and relationship with pottery, as I morph and manipulate the forms, utilizing alternative color application methods to highlight my break from what’s typical.
KIERSTEN SMITH
Functional/Sculptural Ceramics
I believe that through art we are able to see the world from others’ perspectives. Art gives us the ability to understand and emphasize with individuals from different backgrounds. Art is a place where the gaps between individuals can be filled, and experience can be gained. I create art that reflects my experiences as a female to share with others. I use art to create pieces that speak about the flexibility and adaptability of a woman today. I am drawn to smooth, organic flowing shapes. Organic shapes are irregular and imperfect like the female form and life. I focus on the unpredictable curves and the flow they create. I believe this speaks to the form of the female body. I use bright colors to and floral patterns to capture the soft, warm and empathetic side of a woman and large dominating forms to speak about strength.
PAIGE HANSEN
Colored pencil on paper
Paige Hansen is an art education major who loves comics, color, and fantasy novels. She is presenting four abstract color-pencil drawings titled ‘The Pond Series.’ Her goal this semester was to explore space and color without drawing specific scenes or objects. The four pieces are lively, energetic, and rhythmic— they talk about the life cycle of a pond near her childhood home. Paige graduates this spring with a minor in studio art.
RACHEL GATTI
Painting
A lot of my work is about memory and different life moments. My work aims to represent moments within my life that are significant to people, places and objects. Some of these moments are more associated with childhood than others, but all of my work stems from how I keep memories of people through places and objects. It is through memory that subjects like locations and materialistic items stay constant, while the people connected to them change. In my paintings, I use color, light and saturation to reflect on moments important to me and the happiness I felt within their narratives.
STEPHANIE FRADY
Oil on canvas
My artwork this showcase focuses on depicting the different aspects of anxiety and depression- paranoia, and disassociation. I focused on anxiety and depression because I am someone who struggles with both and does have both of these symptoms. I want others to know that these symptoms of anxiety and depression are more common, and it is not something to be ashamed of. As a future art educator I want my students to know that it is okay to not be okay
