Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.--The works of seven Mississippi State art majors are on display through Jan. 18 at an international juried exhibition in Wisconsin.
Joining entries submitted from all over the world, the university students' creations at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center are part of a feature titled "Take Me With You: An Exhibition Without Borders" in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Focusing on the duality of place--whether as map coordinates or the experience of a particular time in a particular location--the exhibit challenged the artists to choose a place special to them, then take the viewing audience there via visual or short literary works embodying the location and its significance in their life.
Since its inception in 1967, the Kohler Arts Center has served "as a laboratory for the creation of new works, nurturer of interdisciplinary initiatives, originator of exhibitions, presenter and producer of performing arts, educator, publisher of critical writings, community builder and advocate for issues affecting the arts."
According to its mission statement, the center "functions as a catalyst for and explorer of new art forms and new ideas that will impact the lives of both artists and the public."
Center officials said the exhibit received more than 150 submissions from artists in nearly two dozen states, and Italy.
MSU's art department is home to the Magnolia State's largest undergraduate studio art program. Part of the College of Architecture, Art and Design, it offers a bachelor's degree with concentrations in ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.
"Take Me With You" exhibitors from MSU--and their respective areas of academic emphasis--include (by hometown):
BELAIR, Maryland--Junior Lorianna A. Livingston, emphasizing in graphic design and the daughter of Samuel Livingston and Tammy Livingston.
BRANDON--Sophomore Randi L. Watson, the daughter of Michael and Teri Watson whose art emphasis is not yet declared.
KILMICHAEL--Senior Devin J. Butts, emphasizing in graphic design and the son of Mattie Butts.
LONG BEACH--Senior Justin R. Ladner, emphasizing in graphic design and the son of Perry and Glenda Ladner.
LOUISVILLE--Senior Keia A. Eichelberger, emphasizing in painting and the daughter of Roy and Shiirley Eichelberger.
OCEAN SPRINGS--Junior Jillian N. Wilson, emphasizing in fine arts and the daughter of Victor Wilson and Lee Hagerty-Wilson.
WEST POINT--Senior Lucia D.J. Arellano, emphasizing in photography and the daughter of Rafael and Pablina Arellano.
Information about the MSU college and its art department is available at www.caad.msstate.edu, facebook.com/CAADatMSU and twitter.com/CAADatMSU.
Discover more about Mississippi's flagship research university at www.msstate.edu, facebook.com/msstate, instagram.com/msstate and twitter.com/msstate.