Spring 2025 student exhibit
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—University Libraries is honored to feature creative and research works by Western Michigan University students during the spring of 2025. This student exhibit can be found on the second floor of Waldo Library in the rotunda.
Avery Mandigo
Undergraduate, Graphic Design
"Portraits of NYC Graphic Design"
This piece was created as part of an assignment for the course Cultural Context in Graphic Design. The objective was to explore the dynamic landscape of New York City graphic design studios. I selected a broad spectrum of studios that varied in size, gender representation, and design style.
I sought to bridge the gap between my professional identity as a graphic designer and my personal sensibilities as a fine artist. As a designer, I am trained to think systematically, focusing on structure, organization, and clarity. Yet, as a fine artist, I am drawn to expressive usage of color, texture, and spontaneity. The result is a piece that embodies balance—between chaos and control, spontaneity and structure. I believe this fusion of styles and techniques is a direct representation of my evolving identity as a designer and artist. Through this work, I aim to celebrate the creative process in all its forms, blending the technicality of graphic design with the expression of fine art.
Ella Nelson
Undergraduate, Public History
"Setting a Place"
"Setting a Place" was a labor-intensive, but meditative process. As I tested hand sewing and mixed media techniques, this combine piece was born. All of the elements in the piece (down to the fabrics and thread) are symbols of my childhood, my independence, and the places that have raised me. I also am guided by my passion for dress and women's history and find textile art to be a perfect medium for its exploration. Through this work, I explore the concept of "home" by connecting to the past, both personal and shared.
In this mixed media piece, I use various textile manipulation techniques to portray "home." These techniques include beading, embroidery, and appliques, all created and applied by hand. The fabric, ribbon, and thread used in this project were either inherited from my grandmother or leftover from childhood sewing projects with my mother. These textiles, beads, various found objects, and acrylic paint are all incorporated into the final piece.
Colton Hicks
Collaborators: Eyad Mohammed A Alfarsi, Sara Tolentino Caceres, Prof. Priyanka Sharma
Undergraduate, Chemical Engineering
"Remediation of Ammonium Impurities Using Plant-Derived Nanocellulose Fibers"
This research poster was created by a team of graduate and undergraduate students under the supervision of Dr. Priyanka Sharma. This is a part of the graduate Independent Studies course and master's thesis. This research focuses on removing ammonium pollution from water. Ammonium pollution can cause environmental disruptions and pose health concerns for humans. This research demonstrates that it is possible not only to remove this impurity but also to reuse it on plants as fertilizer scaffold in the future, as it is 100% biodegradable. This poster was presented at the ACS (American Chemical Society) meeting in Kalamazoo and won an award for its presentation.
William Schutte
Undergraduate, Multimedia Art and Technology
"Melting Point"
I created this drawing during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. I felt as though everything was falling apart around me at the time, and I needed something to distract me. I poured myself into my art for six months during lockdown and created what I consider to be some of my best work.
I have been doing art for the past seven years or so. This drawing is what I consider to be my best work so far. I have never shown it to anyone outside of friends or family and a brief Instagram post.
Garald (Gary) Barton IV
Graduate, Educational and Instructional Technology
"Low Poly Koi Study"
As an artist/designer and a technology versatilist, I enjoy bringing creative, playful solutions to life digitally and physically. I use a variety of vintage and contemporary web design practices to create web-based art widgets and interactive illustrations. My digital work is not tangible. I find similar enjoyment in using traditional painting/drawing techniques, production art methods, graffiti, and basic woodworking skills to express what I feel are fun and thoughtful, functional art toys, community artworks, and murals. This work is tangible. I live in the duality.
I rely on the strong influences of my youth, comics, video games, skateboarding, pop culture, and relationships with family and friends to create new works of art whenever the chance arises. While you can find meaning in my work, I often hope the viewer can take a mental break and enjoy the visual aesthetic or interaction with my work.
Sam Hernandez
Undergraduate, Fine Arts
"I’m So Sick"
This piece is an ekphrastic response to "I'm So Sick" by Flyleaf, specifically the lyrics: "You sink into my clothes, this invasion makes me feel worthless, hopeless, sick." The work explores the suffocating aftermath of sexual assault and how trauma seeps into the fabric of one's identity, much like the metaphor of clothing in the song. I wanted to capture the heaviness of that experience, how it can make you feel trapped in your own skin. The song’s raw emotion connected with me and allowed me to channel feelings that are hard to put into words. This piece is my way of processing those emotions and shedding light on an experience that’s painful but important to talk about.
Tyrah Allen
Undergraduate, Business Leadership and Management/Marketing
"Divine Harmony"
This piece explores the meanings and compatibility of names, specifically of the names, "Tyrah" and "Celia." The name "Tyrah," associated with the figure on the left, translates to "God of War," evoking the sense of strength and power. While the name "Celia," associated with the figure on the right, means "Heavenly," embodying tranquility and charm. Through this artwork, I aimed to depict a delicate balance between strength and serenity, illustrating the complex emotions that shape relationships. The darkness of the left subject vs. the lightness of that on the right can also allude to the popular concept of "Yin and Yang," further symbolizing this divine harmony.
I crafted this piece because of negative emotions I was experiencing (unrelated to its meaning) at the time. The creative process provided an escape of sorts, especially considering the subject of this specific artwork.
Hope Donovan
Undergraduate, Fine Arts
"Requiem"
Before my art career, I spent 11 years in orchestra. I transferred to WMU in 2023 and began this painting on two poster boards to reclaim my identity as a “music school dropout.” This green instrumental figure lays atop a bed of sheet music I played in my last semester as a music major, with vibrant mushrooms surrounding her body. Fungi are natural decomposers that feed on death and decay.
I chose the title “Requiem” since a requiem is typically performed at funerary services. I wanted to honor a piece of myself I’ve put to rest, but symbolize how much has grown from that history.
Bailey Ruby
Undergraduate, Aerospace Engineering
"Shadows and Light"
The skeletal remains of an abandoned building stand defiant against time, its concrete framework and rotted wood bearing the weight of decades of neglect. Graffiti scars its surfaces, silent whispers of the lives that once trespassed through its emptiness. Nature begins its quiet conquest-ivy snakes through the cracks, and patches of green push against the decay. The scene is split by a jagged, torn skylight where windows once framed the sky. Clouded daylight filters through, its pale glow cutting through the gloom, illuminating the ruin with a stark, almost ethereal clarity.
Light and shadow clash in a fragile balance, transforming the desolation into a hauntingly beautiful battleground.
Anne White
Undergraduate, Fine Arts
"Storm by the Bridge"
I was camping by the Mackinac Bridge a few years ago and it was supposed to storm. I had always loved photographs of lightning and figured this was the perfect opportunity for me to try and capture my own image of lightning. I set up my camera before it started to rain. I protected my camera with an umbrella while I was pelted with rain and got completely soaked. It was a blast and I would love to try again!
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