Creativity is key when it comes to student artwork at The Ohio State University at Mansfield. Freshman art major Abby Vincent (pictured) exudes creativity and originality in her artwork.
She has been chosen to participate in the 2019 Student Exhibition beginning Tuesday, April 2 through April 16 at the Pearl Conard Gallery located in Ovalwood Hall. The annual student exhibition showcases artwork created by students during the academic year. It will feature a variety of mediums and approaches, including ceramics, drawing, digital image manipulation and photography.
Vincent, who is a Silver Key winner in the National Scholastic Art and Writing Competition, will display three separate pieces. The first piece is a mini-series of photographs using blue and pink lighting taken of people who are different ethnicities. She explains, “By using those colors it washes out everything so the focus is on the person and not their skin color.”
Her second piece focuses on the global environmental crisis by using an image of a polar bear on a melting icecap surrounded by trash. Vincent is interested in environmental studies as well, minoring in forestry and wildlife. She hopes one day to be able to work on filming and photographing animals and research in the environment. That is why she chose to integrate her passion for the environment with her love of art. “This one was probably the most fun for me to make,” she explains. “I am really trying to focus on combining art/film/photography all in one.”
Vincent’s last piece is a fabrication of an entire crime scene. She filmed everything so nothing could be manipulated and all of the artwork is done with makeup. Vincent describes the work as more hands-on, “It’s an interactive piece so you can actually go through it like an evidence folder with information on the side.”
Vincent grew up in Lexington, which is about 20 minutes from the Ohio State Mansfield. She heard about the excellent art classes available at the campus from friends at her high school. “They said go to the campus, it’s definitely worth your time. It just made more sense for me to come here to the smaller college setting and work with professors one-on-one. I am able to get a lot of my harder classes done here in Mansfield so I will be prepared for the larger classes on the Columbus campus.”
One of the main reasons Vincent chose Ohio State Mansfield was because of the amazing faculty. “I love my professors so much, especially my art teacher,” she says with a smile.
“John Thrasher is a great instructor. He’s one of the most exciting teachers I have ever met in my life. I just like that aspect. He cares so much about his students in the classroom and outside of the classroom. He learns everyone’s name, and it is very personal with each and every student. I think that’s a really important part of being a professor, and he nails it.”
Vincent plans to transition to the Columbus campus in the fall but says she will miss the close-knit community in Mansfield.
For those interested in seeing the 2019 Student Exhibition, an opening reception will be held on Tuesday, April 2 from 12:35 to 1:30 PM at the Pearl Conard Gallery. Hours operation are: Monday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Friday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM (the gallery is staffed by students, so hours may shift).
Souce, Photos: The Ohio State University at Mansfield
