The National Park College (NPC) Communication and Arts department hosted their annual
art show and poetry contest. Along with poetry and art, the NPC Singers performed
a selection from their upcoming concert, Waters. The Hospitality and Tourism program
provided snacks and drinks for attendees.
Students and staff were invited to submit original poems based on the theme of “community
and solidarity.” Poems were judged anonymously by the English faculty and winners
were announced during the poetry reception. This year’s winners included Candra McDaniel,
first place for her poem To Heal the Land; Antonia Harris, second place for her poem Gentrified Solidarity; and Molli Kvammen, third place for her poem Our Fortress.
Art students also displayed their work in various forms from digital art, photography,
fine art and sculpture.
Six senior Digital and Media Arts students displayed capstone projects at the show.
These students included videographer and filmmaker Jasmine Gonzales, illustrator Gryphon
Young, illustrator and filmmaker Lance Porter, concept artist and illustrator Aspen
Hill, branding and graphic designer Rosa Maya, branding and illustrator Alicia Jarquin.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the students and the program here at NPC,” stated Digital
and Media Arts faculty Jennifer Seward. “Students live in the art department; they
work really hard. The faculty try to cater to all students and their interests. We
try to fuel the fires and let the students take ownership of their journey.”
Collectively, the senior students wanted to thank the faculty and staff of NPC, specifically
those in the art department. Gonzales said, “As a student and a person, it is nice
to know that people believe in me. I have had the pleasure of being pushed and shown
the parts of myself that aren’t revealed. The support is overwhelming.”
“The students make us look good,” said art faculty Lana Taliaferro.
Roger Fox associate dean of business, arts and technology would like to recognize
Nannette Crane-Post, faculty member and chief organizer for the poetry contest; Jennifer
Seward and her Graphic Design students for the layout and publication of The 101,
the NPC Poetry and Art Review publication; Dan Anderson and his photography students;
Lana Taliaferro and her art students for visual art submissions; and Tabatha Tuskey
for facilitating the submission process, music instructor and choral director Ferris
Allen and the NPC singers, and Eve Victory and the Hospitality students for the delicious
food.
”National Park College students express their talents in so many different areas,”
commented Allen. “Wednesday's event was special because it reminded us of the connection
between seemingly different forms of artistic expression.”
“This is an event that began in the library with about 15 people and has grown into
this wonderful showcase of students and the faculty and staff that support them,”
noted Fox.
Pictured left to right in top picture: Candra McDaniel and Molli Kvammen.
Picture left to right in bottom picture: Jasmine Gonzales, Rosa Maya, Alicia Jarquin,
Gryphon Young, Aspen Hill and Lance Porter.
