Eagle Art Exhibit at Gulf Coast Library

News item published on: 2016-03-21 16:16:21

Art created by students, faculty and staff is currently on display at the Gulf Coast Library. The exhibit, Eagle Art, is co-sponsored by the Student Government Association and the Division of Student Affairs.

Art pieces created by graduate and undergraduate students highlights the talent found in the Southern Miss student body. Students with pieces on exhibit include Brandon Drescher whose hobby is pottery, Johnny Layer photography, and Gillian Fowler, mixed-media photography, which includes a process of coating both the photograph and the canvas. Maykayla Henton’s original paintings portraying Native Americans and paintings by James Leatherman, as well as handcrafted jewelry and knitted items by Mellysa Ritson, are displayed throughout the building. Rebecca Biggs' cement planters and beaded art made from Mardi Gras beads by Bianca Stewart add to the mix.

Faculty and staff photographers capture the intrigues of animals and the natural world in many different ways. For example, Robert Turnbull, biology instructor, normally photographs animals for documentation; however, his images are very artistic. Gulf Coast librarian Adrienne McPhail’s photographs, printed on metal and attached to painted canvas, were taken on her morning walk from the parking lot to the library. For Marlene Naquin, who is a mathematics education instructor, photography is her therapy and pottery is a chance to explore her creative side. Donna Smith, Gulf Coast Library, takes the inspiring pictures of nature, some from the Gulf Park campus. Dr. Vicki Tinnon, a geography instructor, captures beautiful images from her travels in the western United States. Michael Richardson’s, an art appreciation adjunct instructor, creates prints by working with the medium of intaglio printmaking or etching and engraving on copper plates. Other works include Lori Brommer’s, College of Arts and Letters, handmade quilts and baskets woven from pine straw, and Shahdad Naghshpour’s, professor of political science, wood turned art.

All work will be available for viewing through April 30 with select items for sale. A reception honoring the Southern Miss artists was held on March 1, 2016.