New College artists at the University are a varied bunch, dabbling in different kinds of art and mediums. Some shape a clay mold using nothing but their potter’s wheels and bare hands. Some hold their breaths as they snap a shot of a nearby crane in the Black Warrior River, while others experiment with different flavors in a mixing bowl.
This Thursday evening, numerous New College students will showcase their work in the Ferguson Art Gallery for the first ever New College Exhibition of Creative Work. From pottery and drumming to food and ceramics, New College hopes to establish the idea that art doesn’t necessarily have to be a traditional painting or drawing.
“We have a lot of artists in New College,” said Kaylin Wallen, a sophomore with a depth study in event planning and New College Council event coordinator. “One thing we focus on in New College is that art isn’t necessarily painting, it can be food or planning an event or whatever you want it to be, and that’s honestly how New College works as a whole.”
The event will showcase and unite around 15 different student and faculty artists throughout New College in an effort to make the department more well-known and recognizable. The New College Council encourages all students both within and outside of the department to attend.
“This is a great way to reach out to faculty and students where they’ll present their passion, even if that passion is not one that they are currently studying,” said Courtney Brannon, a senior with a depth study in international conflict analysis and New College campus liaison. “This is also a great opportunity to get to know the people of New College and interact with others with similar interests.”
The show will feature a professor’s artwork through drumming, as well as a student’s food art as he voluntarily caters the event. In doing so, the New College Council looks forward to a diverse crowd.
“This event has had a lot of positive feedback and interest from New College faculty and students, and I’m interested to see who comes out for the opening,” said Pada Schultz, a senior with a depth study in recovery for victims of sex trafficking and New College Council president. “Also, to be completely honest, I’m really excited for the food.”
New College has worked to educate students within various courses and seminars and will carry those teachings into the free exhibition.
“Almost all New Collegians take a seminar that New College offers called Creativity, and in it we talk about how ‘art’ is a lot more than painting pictures,” Schultz said. “Here in this show, there are no restrictions on the mode of art you use, which is why we called it an ‘exhibition of creative work.’”
