Written by Maggie Samples // Photo by Caleb Chunn
An exhibition inspired by a summer international Art and Design Department trip is on display at the Stevens Art Gallery.
Assistant professor of art and design and coordinator of graphic design Ricky Colón said the trip focused on exposure to other cultures and the art they produce. The trip stopped in Greece, Egypt, India and Japan.
“Part of the challenge that we presented to students was, how could you share this experience with people back home?” Colón said. “So, they’re seeing museums, they’re seeing architecture, they’re being exposed to culture and people from all over. So, we wanted to give them a challenge to be creative.”
Colón said the gallery provided outlines for student creativity.
“I just set the ball in motion and presented them with a challenge,” Colón said. “They took it upon themselves to express themselves.”
The theme of the display is “Surrounded.” The idea of being surrounded was something the group talked about during their trip, Colón said.
“As art and design students, we create culture in a way,” Colón said.
Colón said that an abroad trip is important because of the exposure it offers to different cultures and ways of life.
“The world is full of a lot of really good, thoughtful, talented people, and we have a lot to learn,” Colón said. “And I think as Christians, it’s our responsibility to be aware of other cultures, be aware of other ways of thinking, be aware of other ways of doing things and try to honor the beauty that God created when he said, you know, he created in the first few days and it was good. It is good. And if we limit ourselves to just our little community, I think we’re missing out on a lot of really beautiful, wonderful, good things.”
Communication instructor Noah Darnell was another faculty member on the trip. He said the students were a highlight of the trip, because of how small the group was and how close they became throughout the trip.
“I think they had a real experience that allowed them to see that, you know, the design that we do, the art that we do in the West, that is only a small fraction of the quality or the quantity of the type of art that’s being done around the world,” Darnell said.
Junior Cassell Stewart was on the trip, and she said knowing the group would do anything for one another was the part of the trip that meant the most.
“We went all around the world in about five weeks, and it was a whirlwind kind of trip,” Stewart said. “I only really knew a couple people going into this trip, so it was amazing to get to know so many other new people.”
An artistic moment that stood out to Stewart was in India with junior Olivia Williams at the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula.
“We instantaneously recognized the beauty of the contrast of the morning light and the shadows cast, as well as the intricate detailing on the doorway itself,” Stewart said. “It was kind of funny to be able to share that moment with another artist, and so many moments like that happened on the trip. Artistic styles can be very different, but we all recognize beauty when we see it.”
The art will be on display until Sept. 20.
