By MEGAN MAHARRY, Assistant Editor
The visual art department at Northwestern Oklahoma State University provides students with the opportunity to create and explore their passion for art.
Kyle Larson is Assistant Professor of Art in the Department of Fine Arts. He teaches a variety of classes in the department, such as Fundamentals of 2-D Art, Beginning Painting, Intermediate Painting, Art History, Advanced Studio and Digital Illustration. These classes help students with beginning skills in art, and how they can improve their skills and understanding of art.
Throughout the semester, students have the opportunity to work with professional artists. Larson said the department hosts professional artists. These artists live in Alva and create pieces that become part of an exhibition. Students have the opportunity to watch these artists work, as well as interact with them. Larson said there is currently an artist in residency on campus, and two more artists will come to NWOSU this spring.
The visual arts department host several exhibitions throughout the semester. These are chances for students to display the work they have created. The department also puts on a series of workshops throughout the semester that are open to everyone on campus and in the community. The Art Society, a student lead group on campus, also host exhibitions.
Larson said his favorite part about teaching is seeing his students’ artwork develop. He enjoys watching how hard they work, and how they are influenced by the artists in residency.
Larson encourages students to visit the department’s studios and art exhibitions.
“The Fine Arts department is doing great things,” Larson said.
Abbie Haskins is a senior psychology major and a visual arts minor at NWOSU. Haskins’s future plans are to teach psychology and eventually be the head of an art department.
Haskins said she loves painting the most. She said her inspiration for her paintings comes from the things going on around her. She is currently working on her senior art show that will be displayed at the end of the semester. Her senior art show is based on snapshots of life changing moments. She asked family members and friends to provide her with life changing moments, and she is expressing these moments through painting.
She said art is not an easy task. She said art is both a frustrating and relaxing hobby. However, overall, her love for art is undeniable.
“You don’t have to think about anything while painting,” Haskins said. “It’s relaxing.”