Senior Art + Design Exhibition runs through May 6
ASHLAND − The Senior Art + Design Exhibition, featuring the capstone experiences for graduating Ashland University art students, will run through May 6 at the Coburn Art Gallery in the Center for the Arts, 331 College Ave.
“While the 2023 Senior Art Exhibition provides the capstone experience for graduating art and design majors, it represents more than just students’ studio art experiences,” said Cynthia Petry, director of the Coburn Gallery. “For these students of the liberal arts, the exhibition is the culmination of their undergraduate careers at Ashland University.”
This year’s exhibition includes graphic design, illustration, digital art, fibers, painting and ceramics from four senior artists – Mariel Leatherman, Abigail Marchand, Valerie Painter and Sarah Shearer.
Leatherman, from Westfield Center, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in art education (sculpture concentration). She has exhibited at the Juried Student Art Exhibition and was awarded the Dean’s Award and Juror Special Mention. Upon graduation, Leatherman plans to secure a teaching job in the Northeast Ohio area.
Marchand, a native of Massillon, is scheduled to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, as well as a B.F.A. (graphic design concentration). While at AU, she participated in choir, marching band (color guard) and various community service activities. Marchand’s post-graduation goal is to find a job in graphic design.
Painter, of Broadview Heights, is set to graduate with a B.F.A (painting concentration) and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She was awarded AU’s Permanent Art Collection Award at the 2022 Juried Student Art + Design Exhibition, and conducted a SONA-affiliated psychology research project. Upon graduation, Painter plans to continue her education by working toward a master’s degree in psychology in order to pursue her goal of becoming an art therapist.
Shearer, from Norton, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in commercial art (graphic design concentration) and in business administration (marketing). She has exhibited in the Juried Student Art Exhibition and was awarded the Saville Award for her photograph titled “Construction Zone.” Following graduation, Shearer hopes to secure a graphic design position in the Ashland area.
The Coburn Gallery is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays and noon-4 p.m. weekends. For more information about the exhibition, call 419-289-5652 or visit the gallery’s Facebook page.
This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Senior Art + Design Exhibition features Ashland University students
