Troy University senior thesis exhibition ‘picture perfect’

Published 3:00 am Tuesday, May 14, 2019

Parking was scarce, the crowd was large and the artwork, “amazing”

Troy University art professor Greg Skaggs said, in his opinion, the 2019 Troy University Art Department’s Senior Thesis Exhibition that opened Thursday night at the International Art Center is the best he has seen.

The quality of the artwork, the diversity of the show and the dedication of the students are all superior, he said.

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“The work by our international students is phenomenal,” Skaggs said. “This is the best senior thesis exhibition I’ve seen, from studio art to graphic design.”

The talents of 28 senior art students were on exhibit and the students were there at the opening thesis exhibition to talk with those who came to view the exhibition.

Pam Allen, university art department chair, said, too, that the 2019 Senior Thesis Exhibition is outstanding both in concept and quality of work.

“These students will go on to do great things,” she said. “They are combining so many elements into to their artwork.”

She pointed to the exhibition of Hannah Singleton who combined her talent for designing and making jewelry with photography, graphic design and descriptive narratives.

“These students have not limited themselves,” Allen said. “What they have done is fascinating and so exciting.”

Pam Smith, retired Charles Henderson High School art instructor, is extremely proud of the CHHS graduates whose work is included in the show.

Smith taught Alex McLendon, Kait Nesbitt and Kayle Weeks at CHHS and said it was awesome to see how far they have grown through the college level program.

“My goal as a high school teacher was to give my students a strong foundation that included drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture and graphic design,” Smith said. “I wanted them to explore the different mediums so they would be better prepared for a college-level program.”

All three, she said, are ready to join the professional job force.

“It is exciting that these young women are finding their unique niches in artwork,” Smith said. “And, as a teacher, it is rewarding to know that you have played a role of importance in their lives.”

Smith’s portrait was one of several by McLendon in her exhibit of portraits of the women who have been influential in her life.

The exhibition features a variety of artwork including Rachel Riley’s Crystalline + Co. candles and body washes, Kati Lynn Nesbitt’s Spot On parking locator, Rachel Jo Arnold’s millennials’ cookbook on how to learn to cook, Karvarus Moore’s portraits of “Those Who Die to Themselves’ and Sara Ivey’s paintings of different views of her personality as shown through animal qualities.

All senior artists have demonstrated outstanding talent and should find success wherever life takes them, Allen said.

The Spring 2019 Thesis Exhibition will hang until August 1 at the International Art Center on the campus of Troy University. The IAC is open from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Weekend hours are available on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission is free.