131 A Tapestry of Culture Surrounded by art, culture and inspiration, 14 Art and Design students embraced experience and creativity in their art displays at Stevens Art gallery. Assistant professor of art and design and coordinator of graphic design program Ricky Colón said the trip’s focus was exposure to art produced by other cultures. The trip spent time in Greece, Egypt, India and Japan. “Part of the challenge that we presented to students was ‘How could you share this experience with people back home?’” Colón said. “They’re seeing museums. They’re seeing architecture. They’re being exposed to culture and people from all over, so we wanted to give them a challenge to be creative.” The students were introduced to a variety of culture, art and inspiration from all over the world. Having traveled to three continents, students were exposed to experiences that shaped their own art on display. When Colón coordinated with Stevens Art gallery, he wanted to challenge the students to embrace their experience and their art. “I just set the ball in motion and presented them with a challenge,” Colón said. “They took it upon themselves to express themselves.” The display followed a theme of being “Surrounded.” Throughout the trip they learned what it meant to be truly surrounded by art and the world. Art surrounded them at every stop and showed the impact that art could have on the world. Colón believed it was their job to recognize the art and the culture it created. “The world is full of a lot of really good, thoughtful, talented people, and we have a lot to learn,” Colón said. “And I think as Christians, it’s our responsibility to be aware of other cultures, be aware of other ways of thinking, be aware of other ways of doing things and try to honor the beauty that God created when he created in the first few days and ‘it was good.’” The culture in different places built a platform for the students to create from. As they traveled the world, they not only found art in their surroundings, but also in those around them. Communication instructor Noah Darnell was another faculty member on the trip. Darnell spoke about how close the group became over the duration of the trip. For him, the highlight wasn’t about the physical art, but about the growing relationships around him. It was important for the students to become familiar with eastern art, and to use that to grow as people and artists. “I think they had a real experience that allowed them to see that you know, the design that we do, the art that we do in the West, that is only a small fraction of the quality or the quantity of the type of art that’s being done around the world,” Darnell said. Junior Cassell Stewart said the people on the trip were a high point. She said knowing the group would do anything for one another was the moment that meant the most. “We went all around the world in about five weeks, and it was a whirlwind kind of trip,” Stewart said. “I only really knew a couple people going into this trip, so it was amazing to get to know so many other new people.” Sophomore Anna Claire Curtis was one of the students Stewart met and got to know over the span of the trip. Curtis loved meeting everyone throughout the trip, and the piece that stood out to her the most was in the Egyptian History Museum. The Palette of Narmer captured the history of Egypt in an unconventional way. “[The Palette of Narmer] is an old Egyptian tablet that depicts the unification of upper and lower Egypt, and celebrates his military victories,” Curtis said. “It’s in the shape of an eye shadow palette and was used to hold make-up for the pharaoh.” As Curtis and Stewart got to experience these art pieces, they also worked on their relationships with one another. Stewart shared that her favorite parts of the trip were spent with the people she shared the trip with; however, she also found inspiration from the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula in India. “We instantaneously recognized the beauty of the contrast of the morning light and the shadows cast, as well as the intricate detailing on the doorway itself,” Stewart said. “It was kind of funny to be able to share that moment with another artist, and so many moments like that happened on the trip. Artistic styles can be very different, but we all recognize beauty when we see it.” The art and design students got to be inspired by art from different parts of the world. For many, the trip became less about art, but became a trip where different artists recognized beauty and art together. Written by Maggie Samples Lost in a Moment | Standing in awe, sophomore Caimon Field and junior Kit Moore admire the artwork displayed in the gallery. Despite not attending the trip the gallery allowed other art and design students to appreciate the art their peers created. Photo by Abigail Callicoat Art and Design students showcase their internationally inspired creations in Stevens Art Gallery.
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