1780 – The Official Blog of Transylvania University

1780 | The Official Blog of Transylvania University

Transy students showcased in “State of Fine Art” exhibition

“Mama Tlacuache,” ceramic, by Sonora Schuck.
Georgetown College Anne Wright Wilson Fine Art Gallery
“State of Fine Art” is on display through Dec. 29 in the Georgetown College Anne Wright Wilson Fine Art Gallery.  Photo courtesy Georgetown College.

Senior art majors Samara Lyons, Sonora Schuck and Sarah Schaaf are representing Transylvania in the “State of Fine Art ” exhibition at Georgetown College. The annual show, in the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery, alternates each year between art created by college students and professors from across the state. It runs through Dec. 29 and is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 4:30 p.m. 

“These students were invited to represent Transylvania because they consistently produce sophisticated work,” says Jack Girard, professor of art. He notes the benefit to students of exhibiting alongside their peers from private and public institutions throughout the state. “They get to see firsthand how their works compete with a broad range of students—some of whom are pursuing BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) degrees.” And Transy benefits by being represented by strong artwork that many high school visitors will see when they visit the gallery. 

“It means a lot to be among other artists from various schools around Kentucky,” says Sarah Schaaf, a studio art major and a double minor in music and history. “There is such a diverse representation of people, of subjects and techniques. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of and to appreciate other artists’ works.” 

“Mama Tlacuache,” ceramic, by Sonora Schuck.
Visitors gather around “Mama Tlacuache,” a ceramic, by Sonora Schuck on display at the “State of Fine Arts” exhibit at Georgetown College. Photo courtesy of Georgetown College. 

Schaaf is one of three seniors selected by Transy’s art studio professors to submit three works, from which one was chosen per medium for inclusion in the show. They include: “Raaziq in a Blur,” oil on canvas, by Samara Lyons; “Arno,” oil on canvas, by Schaaf; and “Mama Tlacuache,” ceramic, by Sonora Schuck. Schuck is represented in two different media.

Schaaf’s oil painting, “Arno,” was inspired by her study abroad and a photo she took of Ponte Vecchio over the Arno River in Florence, Italy. Schaaf says the work is “focused more so on color than form and is my attempt to capture the essence of such a historical and magical place.”

See Schuck’s “Mama Tlacuache” here and Schaaf’s “Arno” here

“It is an honor to represent Transy,” says Schaaf, “and especially to represent our studio art program. I have learned so much from my professors and owe it to my time here for my developments as an artist.”

The seniors will gain additional exhibition experience in Transy’s own Morlan Gallery this spring as part of the Senior Seminar course.