The senior art exhibition “Connection” displayed the beauty of humanity through works of art, and the reception itself as mentors, friends, and family gathered to celebrate the senior artists. 

“Connection” was on display in the Daughtrey Art Gallery March 27-31. It showcased a four-year collection of photography, oils, watercolor, and graphite, by five senior artists: Julia Widhalm, Cecelia Jansen, Emma Cuneo, Joel Mayer, and Veronica Fogo.

The entrance to the exhibit showcased each artist’s self portraits from either Drawing 1 or Oil Painting 1, beginning the reception with a look into the early stages of their artistry. 

Sophomore Lonán Mooney said she liked the way the room was designed to first see where the artists began before being led through their journey as an art student. 

“You walk in and you’re greeted with them as an artist, and then are able to sort of see their vision as you follow them throughout their experiences,” Mooney said.

According to Jansen, she has matured a lot as an artist with the challenges that her professors have given her, such as the teaching of Chairman and Associate Professor of Art Julio Suarez. 

“I’ve definitely been very challenged in the different ways that I’ve been learning art,” Jansen said. “Suarez and the other professors have very distinct ways on how to draw, even how to hold your pencil. A lot of that is learning that you have to go outside of yourself, you can’t be selfish. You have to be very flexible and adaptable to the different ways that you’re learning.”

Jansen said she’s never lost inspiration while studying great artists, and she maintains an appreciation for the artists of the past. 

“We’re taking art history classes along with the studio classes, and recognizing that there are so many masters and artists that have come before us that we can learn from, whose work has definitely stood the test of time,” Jansen said. 

With the knowledge of how great artists create, Jansen said, she is able to learn similar values and tools in her own art. 

“There is a definite standard of beauty in those works of art, and truth that’s being represented in those arts,” Jansen said. “That’s something that we try to get across in our artworks, in representing what’s actually there in reality, and participating in that medium that’s accessible not just to you but to everyone.”

Jansen displayed around eight studio drawings of people from life and painted portraits, including an oil painting of two of her sisters.

“I painted it for a major studio project and for a portfolio class last fall, and I was just super happy to do a painting of my siblings, because I’ve never done it before, and they really appreciated it,” Jansen said. “And my two sisters who came to my exhibit came dressed in the same outfit that they wore in the painting, which is super sweet.”

Not only did the seniors exhibit their best talent and style, but they showed a story through their art, according to Mooney.

“I think it’s beautiful that you can tell not only about this person’s favorite art medium, but also their friendships, experiences, and where they’re from, and so you’re getting their personal connections,” Mooney said. 

Widhalm and Fogo had a wide range of watercolor paintings on display, showing off fluid brush strokes and soft lighting.

Freshman Celine Ibrahim said she especially liked Widhalm’s watercolors of scenes from “Little Women.”

“Watercolor has a very dreamy quality to it that I think contributes to the coziness and the warmth that emanates from the ‘Little Women’ book. I think watercolor captures nostalgia very well because it can capture detail, but it has this ethereal feel to it that is beautiful,” Ibrahim said.

Junior Mary Hannah Runge said her favorite piece by Fogo was her oil painting of the red barn, “Landscape: East Bacon Road.”

“I really liked her use of color, and texture in the foreground. It was very technically well done,” Runge said. “I like how the size of the piece makes it feel as though you’re in the scene instead of just witnessing it from a distance.”

Mayer exhibited a range of photography, most of which captured motion, such as a collection of records spinning, and jets flying across the sky.

“I really like my photo of the seagull and the Blue Angels,” Mayer said. “I got super lucky because I didn’t know that a seagull was gonna be flying by. I love the duality of the natural bird created by God and then the man-constructed jets.”

Mayer said he finds beauty in what is usually considered mundane.

“I like to capture the moments  in life that we overlook a lot, but when we take the time to look at them we discover there’s a lot of beauty in them,” Cote said.

Junior Max Cote said Mayer  captures quick moments, and presents them with amazing composition and color.

“I love Joel’s photography, especially the kitesurfer because he is always combining shot simplicity and strong composition,” Mayer said. “He knows how to frame his photos well and lead the viewer with his lines. I also love the colors of his photography. The contrast in this one especially between the kitesurfer and the deep blue sky is striking and brings a lot of energy to this photo.”