Ta’kesia Parker is a student at Valdosta State University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Art. Ta’kesia is from Albany, GA where she grew up loving nature and uses it as the theme in most of her work as she enjoys the calmness that is brings. She loves gardening, however pollen makes this difficult, which ultimately makes her go harder with her artwork. Although she tries to focus on the positive things in life, earlier life experiences really shaped the way she approaches her work. As a child, Ta’kesia watched as business owners tore down a massive tree in her community for retail space. This both saddened and enraged Ta’kesia but she was soon able to flip that anger and develop a calm art style.
Upon arriving at Valdosta State University, Ta’kesia began working more with background designs while keeping nature as her center theme. It was also at this time that she grew fond of jewelry making, her medium of choice for the Senior Exhibition.
Hannah Gandy is a senior at Valdosta State University, studying to get a Bachelor’s Degree in fine arts. Gandy’s work, as well as the rest of the senior BFA art major’s work, can be seen at Valdosta State University’s Fine Arts Gallery on April 16th, 2022. The senior artists that contribute to the exhibit have worked based on their theme, connecting their body of works. The theme of Gandy’s work, reflection, shows an array of artworks created with two different mediums. Gandy was born in Valdosta and has been living in the city since then, learning and growing her love for art, specifically Plein Air. Growing up with a family of artists, her love for art was encouraged and they influenced her.
Tiffany Renken, Intimidate Extinction, ceramic sculpture and acrylic paint
Tiffany Renken is one of the Valdosta State University ““In Situ” showcase artists, which features work from graduating Art & Design students. Renken is from Warner Robins, Georgia. Growing up an only child, Renken had difficulties relating to other people, so she gravitated toward animals; this love for animals fuels her passion for art. In high school, she liked to refurbish sunbleached ornaments and trinkets for her friends and family: and she produced some commission work. During that time, she took ceramic classes at her school and planned to study ceramics in college. While at a meet and greet at VSU, she found out about the ceramics program and the variety of clays and firing points offered and decided to attend.
Jennifer Delabra is a senior at Valdosta State University and she will be graduating in the fall of 2021 with a Bachelor’s Degree in fine arts. Her work as well as others seniors’ work can be viewed in Valdosta State’s virtual exhibition called Living in Color. Like the other artist Delebra had a theme in which she based her artworks around. Her theme revolves around exploring the parts of herself that she doesn’t allow anyone else to see and instead of hiding them she chooses not to hold them in any longer. She chooses instead of hiding from herself she chooses to embrace herself, faults and all.
Delebra’s art is used for self expression and turns self hate into something more therapeutic for her. Instead of letting her negative self projections hinder her, she turns it into something to celebrate and embrace. The reason, she states, she is drawn to the subject is because it is something that is hard for her to confront. She finds herself being often called negative and that this is very much in her element. She states what inspires her is the drive to constantly become a better person and learning to love herself. She is also inspired by deep emotions and how an artwork makes the viewer feel.
Delebra works with mediums like jewelry, metalsmithing, and printmaking because it is the mediums she feels the most comfortable with. It gave her a new view of art and said drawing and painting was never something she enjoyed. Finding her preferred medium in the creative process became more therapeutic for her and a true way to express herself. In a way it ties in with her theme of self acceptance and finding her truth.
Some works that are in the show like Fear, Wannabe, BackFat, and Oink Oink are all works that deal with concepts of self hate and battling insecurities that Delebra struggles with on a day to day basis.
One of Delebra’s favorite pieces of hers in the show is One More Chance because it gives her hope that she never would have imagined would come from her. She also stated she enjoyed the printmaking process and the storytelling she was able to achieve. Additionally, it is also one of her favorites because she feels like it opened up some positivity in her that she didn’t know she possessed
Delebra’s work stood out to me because of the raw emotion it conveyed. You can really see the progression of her slowly becoming more comfortable with who she is from each work and it is powerful to see. I also just really enjoy the concept of it being about embracing and loving herself for who she is and to not be her own worst critic. Self acceptance and the idea of constantly improving yourself is such a powerful theme and her love of art shines when you look at her work.
The “Living in Color” exhibition features 20 art students graduating from Valdosta State University with the idea of exploring the use of art as communication. The exhibition contains a wide variety of mediums and art styles supporting the individual talents of each graduate. The graduates are diverse in background and personality that signifies the uniqueness of Valdosta State University students. The introduction notes, “Our title ‘Living in Color” represents each one of us as individuals and unique artists, and although these colors are different, we still can find the allure in them” (Dedo Maranville). The “Living in Color” exhibition gives these artists an opportunity to show their favorite and most representative works to show the range and depth their artist have developed.
The “Valdosta National 2021”, is an event held by the Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery at Valdosta State University, and many artists from all over the United States are represented at the “Valdosta National.” In an interesting turn of events due to the Coronavirus Outbreak, the “Valdosta National” is shown online for the first time in the show’s history. There is now a possible international audience to the show due to the better visibility of the show. Everyone with internet access across the world can view the “Valdosta National” at any time at their leisure. In some ways, however, there is a disadvantage to the “Valdosta National” being solely online. People cannot get a closer look at the art, especially with the three-dimensional artworks like the sculptures. There is a variety of artwork in 2021’s “Valdosta National,” as paintings, videos, sculptures, mixed media, photography, textiles, lithographs, and etchings are included. Cash awards were given to the top four winners at this exhibition and Claire Dempster was the juror and judge of 2021’s exhibition.
Elliott Ingram was born in Decatur, Alabama, before moving to Valdosta, Georgia where he was raised for the remainder of his childhood. Ingram was raised in church being influenced by the Southern Black community. He was taught there was a specific way to be successful. He noticed a pattern within the Black community of people following in their parent’s footsteps, pursuing the medical industry or the military, for example. Ingram wanted to pursue his own path and art is that path. He aims to communicate his experience of growing up in the Black community and how that has impacted his pursuit of art.
The 2021 Spring Senior Exhibition, LivinginColor, features the artwork of twenty different senior artists. All of which who are graduating from Valdosta State University. Due to circumstances regarding the pandemic, this exhibition is virtual. Unfortunately, viewing art online often leaves out artistic details. This makes it difficult to observe brush strokes, get a sense of scale, and view three-dimensional art from all angles. Despite the difficulties that a virtual exhibit present, the sheer exposure into the minds of the art community can still be a positive experience. Viewers can observe art online that they otherwise might not have been able to experience.
LivinginColor is poignantly designed and well organized. The online audience’s experience begins with a visit to the feature page where the LivinginColor logo is prominently displayed as well as a detailed description of the exhibit. The website allows visitors to view colorful portraits of each individual artist from this year’s senior class. Patrons can quickly find a particular artist of interest by taking advantage of the alphabetical catalog of names. Once an art enthusiast finds an artist the enthusiast can simply click on the artist’s picture. This will link a viewer to a new page that highlights that particular artist. This webpage offers a glimpse into the creative mind of said artist. Here patrons are able to read an online biography, connect with the artist on social media and view their work. Each artist’s page displays five to ten pieces. On-line viewers may be surprised to discover that they are able to interact with the artist and other patrons. Viewers can leave an uplifting comment or constructive criticism. To the delight of all involved, most of the comments posted so far have been positive and encouraging.
At the bottom of each artist page the artist has included a statement. The artists value this opportunity to make personal statements about their work. Especially the artists who chose to make art that speaks out on important social issues. Jenni Steltenpohl and Jadah Alford are social activist through their art.
Safe, Sane, and Consensual, Screen Print, 14 x 11 inches, 2021
One artist who is very popular among viewers is Jenni Steltenpohl. Steltenpohl uses a variety of media when creating her artwork. Her work speaks on the topics of women rights and social injustices. In Steltenpohl’s artist statement she asserts, “As I struggle with my own health, I am sharing these feelings as a method of connectivity to others who may find inspiration to discuss and gain knowledge of their own battles.” (Steltenpohl, 2021) It is powerful that she allowed herself to be vulnerable by sharing her feelings in her art so that viewers can connect and learn about each other and ourselves. Steltenpohl’s prints titled Safe, Sane, and Consensual stand out the most. These three prints are reminiscent of the Andy Warhol prints of Marilyn Monroe. Like Warhol, Steltenpohl uses a variety of different colors. Steltenpohl’s prints feature a pair of hands being held down at the wrist by another pair of hands. Below these hands at a diagonal are the words, “SAFE IN YOUR HANDS. KNOW OUR LIMITS. CONSENT IS SEXY.” Just another example, of how this artist is speaking out against sexual injustice.
The Closet, Relief print, 24 x 18 inches, 2019
Jadah Alford is another artist in this year’s exhibit. She too, shows vulnerability in the art she creates. As a homosexual, her work reflects on the challenges she has faced throughout her life. A few of Alford’s pieces refer to “coming out of the closet”. A termed used to express that someone is making it public that they are homosexual. Alford also uses upside down triangles in her pieces. In Alford’s artist statement she states, “Learning more about the history of the Holocaust, I was imprinted by the horrible idea of how Nazis would use a upside down pink triangle to label and separate homosexual victims. I use this symbolism commonly in my artwork to show a new coming of times, but to also remember where times once were.” (Alford, 2021) The work, Paragraph 175, illustrates this statement in a more expressive way. Behind a charcoaled barbwire fence are Jews during the holocaust in their “stripped pajamas”. Stitched into these striped pajamas is an upside-down triangle as well as the word “HUMAN”. However, their faces are upside down pyramids. All except for one. Alford stitched an upside-down pink felt triangle as one of the Jews face.
Paragraph 175, Charcoal and felt, 36 x 45 inches, 2021
This exhibition as a whole includes several heart-wrenching, conversation starting, and connective pieces. I will admit that not all pieces were college standard works of art. While many pieces felt as if the artists had been working their craft for a lifetime, some pieces felt like little effort was exerted. Patrons will find that the online exhibit, while not ideal, is certainly worthwhile. The page is easy to navigate; provides biographical information, moving pieces, and an interactive portion. The 2021 Spring Senior Exhibition, LivinginColor, is a virtual art show that allows art enthusiasts to experience amazing artwork that otherwise may not have been seen.
Alayna Anderson is a senior at Valdosta State University studying art education. Post-graduation Anderson plans on becoming a high school art teacher.
The summer of 2020 had been the moment society witnessed with their own eyes the injustice of police brutality faced by the Black community, which would ignite civil unrest and protests that are still ongoing. Even when the summer of 2020 had come and gone, it marked the start of transforming the age-old discussion of what could be done to end the injustice into protests for immediate changes within the police departments. When speaking with Nalla Roberts, one of the twenty featured artists in this year’s senior exhibition “Living in Color” on VSU’s Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery webpage, as well as looking through her works featured within the exhibition, it was made clear that the fight for justice and equality was not and would not be over for her. Growing up between the northern states of Maryland and Virginia and the southern state of Georgia, Roberts was taught to love herself as a Black woman. In my interview with Roberts, she stated, “I make work inspired by Black people because Black people are legally discriminated against for a large part of their identity and self-care”.
When visiting the Valdosta National over at www.vsugallery.org, viewers are met with information regarding this show’s conception. The Valdosta National is an annual competition and it is hosted by Valdosta State’s Dedo-Maranville Fine Arts Gallery. The competition is open to all artists over eighteen living in the US and the goal is to present the best of the best entered in the competition. The work presented is all media contemporary art made in the last five years. Due to the global pandemic, this year’s show was held at the gallery’s online space instead of the physical space that students and staff are used to. This year the show was juried and judged by Claire Dempster, and she selected a total of 70 works by 60 artists out of the total of 875 works that were submitted.
