Grace College to Host ‘Senior Art/Design Portfolio’ Exhibits

Grace College will showcase the thesis portfolios of 12 art majors in a two-part exhibition on campus this winter.  The exhibition for the Senior Art Show will take place Jan. 29 – Feb. 29 at the Grace College Mount Memorial Art Gallery, 808 Kings Highway, Winona Lake. The senior students will hold a public reception on Friday, Feb. 16, from 7-9 p.m.

“Throughout their Visual Art and Design program, the students have demonstrated not only exceptional aesthetic skills but the integration of faith in their creative art forms,” said Dr. Kim M. Reiff, chair of the Department of Visual, Performing and Media Arts and interim co-dean of the School of Arts and Humanities. “Opportunities for internships and portfolio critiques by industry professionals have contributed to preparing them for future success,” she said.

The exhibits showcase the work of students Dakota Ames, Joy Antonini, Kris Davis, Luke Erickson, Andrej Glavas, Ethan Jordan, Liberty Malone, Amber Morse, Kyah Troyer, Regan VanderWall, Kylie Vida and Janae Wise.

Joy Antonini, of Dallas, Texas, is showcasing her thesis portfolio in the first round of the exhibitions. Antonini, a  visual communication design (VCD) major with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in photography, has known graphic design is her passion since tenth grade.

“That was the year I got a drawing tablet, and I just loved it,” said Antonini. “I would spend hours creating digital designs, and it became clear that graphic design was something I really enjoyed. Now as a senior going through the VCD program at Grace, I know there is nothing I feel more called to.”

Antonini appreciates the practicality of the graphic design program, which structures every assignment as though students are working for a client and allows students to build their portfolios as they progress through the coursework. The program also requires students to fulfill an internship credit, which Antonini completed in the Grace Student Involvement Office creating designs for student events on campus.

The “Senior Art/Design Portfolio” course is the culmination of an art student’s experience in the program.

“The senior art exhibit is such a great class because they give us a chance to actually display our work,” said Antonini. “Now that all of the hard work is done, I’m excited for my family and the community to see what I’ve been working on.”

In addition to the exhibition, students will participate in mock interviews as part of the course. This will allow them to practice sharing their portfolio and to represent themselves as artists.

The Mount Memorial Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The department’s goal is to equip graduates with the ability to communicate visually, possess professional skills and be able to analyze works from historical and contemporary cultural perspectives. Students learn to demonstrate excellence in creative work that ultimately serves their calling as artists, Christians and professionals.

For more information, call 574-372-5100, ext. 6022 or email art@grace.edu.

Photo attached: Joy Antonini showcases her thesis portfolio in the Mount Memorial Art Gallery at Grace College.