Each spring, the Ashland University Coburn Gallery hosts the Senior Art and Design Exhibition that features the capstone experience for graduating art and design majors.
Bringing together artwork made by graduating seniors in the Department of Art and Design, the 2023 Senior Art and Design Exhibition will open on Tuesday, April 4, with an opening reception from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Coburn Art Gallery located in the Center for the Arts on the Ashland University campus. The senior art awards will be announced at 5:30p.m. at the April 4 reception.
“While the 2023 Senior Art Exhibition provides the capstone experience for graduating art and design majors, it represents more than just students’ studio art experiences,” said Cynthia Petry, director of the Coburn Gallery. “For these students of the liberal arts, the exhibition is the culmination of their undergraduate careers at Ashland University.”
This year’s exhibitions, which will run from April 4 through May 6, include graphic design, illustration, digital art, fibers, painting, and ceramics. The gallery will be closed during the university Easter break April 6-10, 2023.
Senior Art Exhibition artists - Sarah Shearer, Valerie Painter, Mariel Leatherman and Abigail Marchand .
Shearer, from Norton, OH, will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Art (Graphic Design concentration) and a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration in Marketing. Shearer is the youngest daughter of James and Kelly Shearer of Norton. She is a graduate of Norton High School. Shearer has exhibited in the Juried Student Art Exhibition and was awarded the “Saville Award” for her photograph titled “Construction Zone.” During her time at Ashland, Shearer had the opportunity to build experience from three internships on and off campus. Currently, Shearer is working as a Graphic Design intern at Bendon, Inc. located in Ashland, OH where she assists in designing coloring books, games, and puzzles. Shearer plans to secure a graphic design position in the Ashland area.
Valerie Painter, from Broadview Heights, Ohio, is a graduate from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School and will graduate from Ashland University with a Bachelors of Arts in Fine Art (painting concentration) and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology. While attending Ashland, she was awarded Ashland University’s Permanent Art Collection Award in AU’s 2022 Juried Student Art + Design Exhibition as well as conducted a SONA affiliated psychology research project. In the summer of 2022, she completed an internship with Girl Scouts of Western Ohio as an arts and crafts specialist for their residential summer camp program. Upon graduation, Valerie plans to continue her education by receiving a Master’s in Psychology in order to pursue her goals of becoming an art therapist.
Abigail, from Massillon, Ohio and will be graduating with a Bachelor of Arts for Business Administration and a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design. Abigail is the only daughter of Christopher and Candy Marchand and she has an older brother. She graduated from Perry high school in Massillon, OH. While here at Ashland University she participated in choir, Marching Band (Color Guard), and tried to help the community when she could. Upon graduation she hopes to secure a job in the field of graphic design.
Leatherman, from Westfield Center, Ohio, will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education and a sculpture concentration. Leatherman is the oldest daughter of John and Theresa Leatherman. She is a graduate of Cloverleaf High School. Leatherman has exhibited at the Juried Student Art Exhibition and was awarded the “Dean’s Award” and “Juror Special Mention”. Leatherman has also exhibited multiple artworks at the Annual May Show of the Mansfield Art Center. During her time at Ashland Leatherman has had the opportunity to intern with the Coburn Art Gallery, the Well, the Massillon Art Museum, and Five Stones Community Church. Upon Graduation, Leatherman plans to secure a teaching job in the North East Ohio area.
