Senior Lydia Brennan, who transferred to Waynesburg University a year and a half ago, hosted an Art Exhibit in the Fine Arts Center featuring pieces she created throughout her college career in the. Brennan’s artwork will be available for viewing Sept. 18 through Oct. 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or by making an appointment.
Monday evening was the first day of the showing and the display was accompanied by various live musicians, who were selected by Brennan, throughout the evening and refreshments that were provided by the fine arts professors.
Brennan spent time mingling with viewers, answering questions and explaining the thought process behind some of her creations.
Her gallery pieces involved horses; a male, whom she clarified to be her boyfriend; a cat and a dog.
“I paint what I know,” Brennan said.
She explained that her job off campus revolves around horses, which is why the majority of her pieces depicted horses in strange yet lively poses.
One painting in particular was of a horse rolling around on the ground, which Brennan clarified is not dead.
Freshman Brittany Scott attended the art exhibit on Monday evening with her Design for Art class.
“I had no idea she was an artist,” said Scott. “She’s so good.”
While Brennan’s gallery was comprised mainly of paintings, Chairperson of the Fine Arts Department Andrew Heisey makes sure to have variations between different students’ showings.
“Each student is different,” Heisey said.
Some years the majority of a senior’s pieces will be ceramics and sculptures, and other hyper realistic drawings.
Seniors must select their best work over their four years at college to display at a gallery of their own design.
Like every art major, Brennan set up this gallery according to the Capstone Project, part of a graduation requirement that Heisey is involved with.
“There’s a whole science to this,” said Heisey. “Everything from how to frame pieces, how to make your piece look the best they can, how to arrange the pieces. It’s a lot harder than you’d think.”
Brennan and other senior artists must correctly manipulate the lighting and spacing of each piece, whether hung on the wall or displayed along tables.
“I think that it is key to having a show that people can walk through and enjoy,” Brennan said.
Also, the artist is required to set up music that fits their artwork. The professor brings food to sit outside the gallery, but the artist can add to it – Brennan brought muffins.
Heisey hosts about six art exhibitions a year – three per semester. Exhibits will share the gallery room if there is a larger graduating group.