GCSU CAPSTONE II students present Paragon

  • Inspired by Zoobooks, Grace Horrin created magazine editions of dogs and cats in need throughout Georgia. With this piece, she hoped to bring more awareness to shelters.
    Inspired by Zoobooks, Grace Horrin created magazine editions of dogs and cats in need throughout Georgia. With this piece, she hoped to bring more awareness to shelters.
  • Erin Lass broadened her horizons from mixed media into photography and portraiture. Her goal with the series was to “create bodies of work that are relatable and induce deeper conceptual thoughts within my audience.”
    Erin Lass broadened her horizons from mixed media into photography and portraiture. Her goal with the series was to “create bodies of work that are relatable and induce deeper conceptual thoughts within my audience.”
  • Alyssa Duncan created a mixed media sculpture depicting personal transformation and the journey of entering into adulthood. In her biography, she relates the piece to how a cicada spends 17 years underground blissfully aware of the future until it breaks into the surface.
    Alyssa Duncan created a mixed media sculpture depicting personal transformation and the journey of entering into adulthood. In her biography, she relates the piece to how a cicada spends 17 years underground blissfully aware of the future until it breaks into the surface.
  • Ashlyn Simmons designed a graphic novel that creates a narrative based on experiences in theatre productions. In the gallery, sketches of the pages could be seen on the wall and the graphic novel was available to read beside the storyboard. Pictured above is a sketch versus the final product of the page.
    Ashlyn Simmons designed a graphic novel that creates a narrative based on experiences in theatre productions. In the gallery, sketches of the pages could be seen on the wall and the graphic novel was available to read beside the storyboard. Pictured above is a sketch versus the final product of the page.
  • Emily Suber created a collection of patterns on the theme of self growth. From left to right, the patterns are named “Don’t Quit Your Daydream”, “Comes in Waves,” “No Rain, No Flowers”, and “Headspace.”
    Emily Suber created a collection of patterns on the theme of self growth. From left to right, the patterns are named “Don’t Quit Your Daydream”, “Comes in Waves,” “No Rain, No Flowers”, and “Headspace.”
  • Anna Rigby created a series based on the idea of birthdays. Her artwork depicts the contrasting feelings of birthdays and aging.
    Anna Rigby created a series based on the idea of birthdays. Her artwork depicts the contrasting feelings of birthdays and aging.
  • Ashlyn Simmons speaks on the hard work and love put into Paragon during the reception on April 13.
    Ashlyn Simmons speaks on the hard work and love put into Paragon during the reception on April 13.

    Seventeen Georgia College & State University students, in the graphic design and studio concentrations, in CAPSTONE II presented their artwork for the Paragon exhibit on April 13 in the Leland Gallery and Underwood House Gallery.

    “The Spring 2023 CAPSTONE II students have done an outstanding job preparing their exhibition and were proud to show off their work,” said Matthew Forrest, interim chair of the GCSU art department. “The exhibit showcases our students' research over the past year and includes work in a variety of media.”

    CAPSTONE II is referred to by name as the Senior Thesis Exhibition class. Students in the class are art majors in their final senior semester and work throughout the semester to develop and refine creative research into a “substantial cohesive body of work” that will be professionally exhibited. The research is supervised by art faculty as an interdisciplinary team and, alongside this faculty, students plan the exhibition and how it will be presented.

    “This is a year-long journey for our students that began last fall.

    They develop their process, their theme, their methods and work alongside their mentors to create a final product.

    What you see this evening is an intensive process that took many hours and so much knowledge.

    There is so much that goes on behind what you see around you,” Forrest told the crowd.

    The name of the exhibition, Paragon, is defined by Webster’s Dictionary as a “model of excellence.”

    According to Maggie Morgan, a graphic design concentration and exhibitor, the name was selected through majority vote for its connection to the amount of knowledge and time that went into perfecting each piece for exhibition.

    “While we are human and our artwork is imperfect, I can look around the gallery and know this work is excellent. It is not just a reflection of this year but all we have learned in our four years at GCSU,” said Morgan when explaining the name choice. “We are all so proud to be here and of the efforts displayed here today so on behalf of myself and my class, please enjoy Paragon.”

    Throughout the evening, visitors to the exhibit toured both locations with the artists as their guides to get a small look into the education and dedication behind each of the exhibitors.

    From photography to comics, there was a range of diverse mediums and stories to tell.

    “We created an exhibition unique to us.

    What started as artist statements have turned into monumental works that will be special to us for years,” said Ashlyn Simmons, exhibitor.

    “Our love and admiration goes out to the entire art department for supporting us.”

    Paragon was open for viewing through April 20. Another special reception will be hosted May 4, featuring the art history CAPSTONE.