Student art show winners reflect on their processes
Alex Thibadeau
Issue date: 11/21/09 Section: Features
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A variety of selected paintings, prints, photographs, and sculptures colored the walls and the nooks of upstairs Founders Nov. 12 for the opening reception.
"There were many diverse mediums this year," said senior Jonathan Richter, who attended the art opening. "Ever medium is very different, so it was hard to compare the different pieces and vote"
Ceramics instructor Charlie Tefft passed out fortune-cookie-sized strips of paper, so that all attending could vote for the "People's Choice Award."
The jury of art faculty gave out first-place prizes for first-place winners and an "Honorable Mention" to the runners-up in each category. The winners each had stories of inspiration and process that led them to creating.
Senior and painting major Kathleen Kennedy won "People's Choice Award" and first place in the painting category for her "Self-portrait of an Avocado" this year.
Kennedy's love for avocados, which was instilled in her by her father growing up, inspired the piece. After the show, Dery insisted that Kennedy share the story of her moment of desperate inspiration.
"I was exhausted one night towards the end of the semester, and I wanted a fresh, young avocado," recalled Kennedy. "As I cut it open, a piece gently flopped down onto the counter and that's when I realized, 'This is me. Oh my God, this is me.'"
Similarly, ceramics major and junior Molly Spadone recalled her sleepless fit of inspiration over the creation of her nearly three-foot pot that won first place.
"After seeing Daniel Johnston, I spent about two days thinking ... and not sleeping," said Spadone. "Seeing him inspired me to do what I have always wanted to do."
Sleep-deprived and inspired, Spadone began an impromptu method of coiling and throwing - a method that her instructor, Tefft, curiously experimented with for himself the next day.
"I was so consumed in that pot. I had no control over it, no idea how it'd turn out, or what it'd look like," recalled Spadone, as she gazed at "Jar #1" in its permanent, fired state.
Spadone said that seeing her pot on display only made her want to make more pots. She started one last week twice the size of her pot in the show.
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