Kali Aten, a senior at Grace College, is enthusiastic about sharing her love of art. Photo provided.

By Darla McCammon
Guest Columnist

Thankfully, seeing art through new eyes does not require surgery!

In this current series, we have journeyed through new and current trends in art. What could be newer than visiting an upcoming exhibit at Grace College displaying college-aged students’ art exhibits?

An artist who is six years old sees things differently than an artist who has reached 18 years of age, which is probably most evident when viewing your children’s refrigerator stick drawings at age six and then again at 18. (I guarantee you have at least one of those drawings left!) While an 18-year-old might still be able to draw a stick figure, they at least know by then that the figure should have dimension.

Additionally, an 80-year-old artist will see things differently than an 18-year-old. A person amassing 80 years is blessed to have witnessed a tree go through a tornado, lose its leaves and sprout to life, or watch a tree clinging to life. This senior artist has experienced and seen the shade of a tree provide cooling relief in summer, and has had 29,200 days of observing trees in general.

While that experience can provide depth, the repetition over time can sometimes numb us to the beauty right before us. Thus, it is always refreshing to see how younger artists (with talent!!) can make their own observations and make them new and fresh for us. They are observing and experiencing life with a new lens and providing us a glimpse into their personal world.

You have an opportunity to see the work of these budding young artists, among whom we may one day recognize an established and successful artist using the most modern trends in art. Grace College in Winona Lake has an exhibit featuring the work and portfolios of 11 soon to graduate art majors. The exhibit is available to view through March 3.

The work is installed at the Mount Memorial Hall Art Gallery, 808 Kings Highway, Winona Lake. Mount Memorial is a beautiful and interesting building and a perfect setting for viewing this new student art. It is open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and is free to the public. You may also wish to visit on Saturday when the hours are 1-4 p.m.

“As faculty, it is a privilege to see how these students integrate their faith into their art,” were the words of Kim M. Reiff, Chair of the Department of Visual, Performing, and Media Arts. “They are the visual voice of our future,” she said.

A variety of talent can be found in all these portfolios with students working in multiple media as well as selecting particular areas of specialty. Kali Aten is one of the senior students at Grace and is enthusiastic about sharing her love of art. If you have an opportunity, please visit the exhibit and see current trends and expertise in art. You will be glad you made the trip to historic Winona Lake and the Grace Campus.

EVENTS: Senior Art Exhibit at Grace College, Winona Lake, Through March 3. Warsaw City Hall Exhibit open now to March 31: Lovely assortment of various art media by Madelene Bussert. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). Lakeland Art will reopen soon after closing for winter break. 302 E. Winona Ave., Warsaw. Phone: 574-267-5568 for hours and events. Exhibitors at Warsaw City Hall Art Gallery get very good exposure and publicity for their work. Send us an email if you are interested in exhibiting: [email protected] Subject: Art exhibit.