UPIKE hosts Artist Reception in Allara Library
0By Abigail Gibson
The annual Janice Beeler Ford Student Art Exhibit reception was held on March 30 in the Allara Library. The gallery is dedicated to the memory of Janice B. Ford, a former art teacher and supporter of the institution. Ford taught at Pikeville College for many years and fostered an environment of encouragement and support for all students to experience the act of making art.
During the reception Thomas R. Hess, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, spoke briefly about how arts and sciences are the heart of the institution.
The featured student artists are Kenda Albaree, Eady Beth Connolly, Isaac German, Allyson Gibson, Courtney Haney, Amanda Hord, Bradley Loader, Otis Manning, Charles Mims, Larry Ratiff, Paige Tackett, Tanner Tackett, and Lauren Vickers.
Petra Carrol, associate professor of art, and Patricia Kowalok, professor of art, select which individual students display their work in the Janice Beeler Ford Art Gallery.
Gibson won the Janice Beeler Ford Award for Excellence in Visual Arts, the past two years.
“Receiving the Janice Beeler Ford Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts is an absolute honor. This is the second year that I have received this award. It means so much to me to be recognized for the skill and talent that I have learned and also been able to skillfully express through the teaching of Mrs. Kowalok and Mrs. Carroll. With their teachings I am able to put my expressions into a fierceness that can be supported by the use of color tints and tones. I am able to be honored and also show my appreciation to the Ford Family for honoring a piece of art that I have created and can represent the university with this award,” said Gibson, senior.
Gibson created an octopus painting using water color, acrylic paint, and gel medium.
“Throughout the three panels, I am trying to convey this passage of time and I am able to do this by showing the fluidity of the animal, how it moves through the water and how it descends into the sea. Also, this push and pull within the water as the water overlaps the animal but also relates to the animal in the negative space, creates similar organic forms that relate to the body of the octopus,” she said.
Manning spent long hours on his painting as he created a 2D Design by using acrylic paint.
“My zen is baseball, but I was able to find another creative outlook to escape baseball, too,” said Manning, senior.