On Aug. 24, Breidenstine Hall’s Sykes Gallery opened their exhibit created by adjunct art professor Autumn C. Wright. Entitled “A Way to See the World,” the exhibit includes a variety of abstract nature imagery, largely created through the medium of paper.
On Sept. 14, Wright gave a public artist talk regarding the works in the gallery and what brought the exhibit to life. A Millersville University alumna herself, she described the experience as a full circle moment of being back in the place where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.
The biggest theme in Wright’s exhibit is nature and the environment. She described her childhood during the talk, stating that the outdoors played a huge role in her life and that technology was rarely present. The thin, hanging pieces of paper scattered throughout the gallery’s layout are meant to mimic a forest, with the objects often moving around due to their lightness. The colors of the works are relatively muted, emphasizing the earth tones and appreciation for the wooded areas in which she took inspiration.
Many of the professor’s current and former students were in attendance at the reception, including Taylor Fehr, a sophomore majoring in art education.
“I really enjoyed seeing Autumn’s personal artwork after having her in class. It gave me an insight into how she uses her work to inspire what she does with her students,” Fehr said. “She always encouraged us to draw outside and to use mixed media, which is exactly what this exhibit showed us.”
Allie McGrath, a sophomore fine arts major, also showed an appreciation for the exhibit’s uniqueness and layout.
“I was really inspired by the fact that, even though it was 2D artwork, the artist still managed to fill the middle space of the room,” McGrath said. “It transported you into her artwork.”
If you would like to see the exhibit, you can visit the Sykes Art Gallery Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 4p.m. “A Way to See the World” will have its final viewing on Oct. 15.
