Wilson Gallery at Anderson University Opening Dec. 9
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Anderson, Ind. — Anderson University will open its latest exhibition at the Wilson Gallery Dec. 9 with a special opening night show. The event will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. and the gallery will remain open through Feb. 3. The gallery, titled “School of Athens: Intro to Drawing Student Exhibition,” is comprised of works from AU students.
The exhibition features work from 13 students under the direction of Holly Sims, assistant professor of visual communication design: Demonte’ Ferguson, Mason Fridley, Jo Harmless, Macy Hussung, Jackson Johns, Maddison Martin, Jacquie Michel, Emilie Penick, Keegan Perez, Ivy Smith, Cassie Sumerford, Eden Turner, and Sydney Williams.
“When the students selected the painting, “School of Athens” by Raphael for their final project, I was immediately inspired for this talented group to recreate it life size,” said Sims. “It is easy to view images in a book or on screen and not fully comprehend the massive undertaking by this master of the Renaissance. The students worked hard within their limited time frame, and showed great teamwork to create a unified piece. I am very happy by the energy they created within their final piece and I hope this will be a core memory of their freshman foundations experience.”
Students each researched a figure or part of the “School of Athens” painting by Raphael and shared their research with the class while working in six 50-minute sessions on the large group drawing in class. Next, students were charged to create their own piece inspired by the transcription and utilize the drawing skills they learned throughout the semester for their final project.
The exhibition also highlights a timelapse of the drawing being created, which will be on view in the gallery. Kris Rinas, director of studio and technical operations, and cinema and media arts students installed the camera and produced the video.
Alongside the drawings, typography students Antwone Whiteside, Cannon McClain and Kristin Formulak, who are currently enrolled in the Renaissance to Modern Art History class designed posters along the theme of “humanism” to accompany the exhibition for their final project.
Visitors are encouraged to view the gallery on Dec. 9, before or after participating in Illuminate, which will take place in the Valley.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.