The Campanella Gallery, located on the second floor in Norrington Center, is currently displaying the 2020 Senior Art Exhibit. This particular show features artwork from seniors who were enrolled in the AR497 Senior Seminar course in the Fall 2020 semester.

“There are five artists in the show now. They are all very talented – very unique with what they do,” said Andrea Lee, Ph.D., assistant professor of art and director of Campanella Gallery.

Sadie Johnson, a December graduate from Park University’s Fine Art program, has 31 watercolor illustrations on display in the exhibit. Johnson combines her art with literature to make children’s stories. Hoping to pursue a career as an illustrator, she spends her free time working on her own graphic novels. She says that is where her inspiration for the piece came from.

“I decided that it was going to be about self-image and how you don’t have to look a certain way to be part of a friend group,” said Johnson. “It’s his adventure through making his own stuff to fit in with the group.”

Having the opportunity to display work in a gallery is huge for art students about to begin their careers.

One of the benefits is that, “It’s a way that they can share their creative expressions with a broader audience and community,” said Lee.

Knowing that campus is only open to students and faculty, Merrick Henry, associate professor of graphic design, created a webpage for the fine arts program which features pictures of each artist’s work. Thanks to this website, the senior exhibit can still be seen by the public while also following Park University’s COVID rules and guidelines. The website address is studentexhibitioncovid2020.com. More of Johnson’s artwork can be found on her Instagram page @astriferousprince.

The exhibit is on display until Feb. 26. Students and staff on the Parkville campus can visit the gallery from Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Fridays 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sundays 4-8 p.m.