Bradley Gallery show spotlights two senior art majors
The artwork of Lakeland University seniors Tre’vion Smith and Nao Takahashi will be in the spotlight at the next LU Bradley Gallery exhibit.
An opening reception will be held on Friday, November 12, at 4:30 p.m. in the Bradley Fine Arts Building on the Lakeland campus. The artists will discuss their work and answer questions. The show will run through December 12.
Attendance at the reception and admittance to the Bradley Gallery are both free and open to the public. The Bradley Gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, when Lakeland is in session.
Smith is on track to graduate this December with a bachelor of art degree in studio art and a minor in graphic design. He is a recipient of a Helga Duechler Dawurske Art Scholarship. He is a member of Lakeland’s football team and has worked a variety of off-campus jobs, so learning time management has always been critical.
“I create pieces of work late at night since that’s when I love to be productive with what I love to do,” Smith said. “That is when I’m most focused and creative, in my opinion. I tend to put my AirPods in, put them on full blast listening to R&B music and that is when I’m in the zone.”
Smith said he’s built confidence and become a better artist by trying different techniques and genres. He said art provides a get-away place from the challenges of everyday life.
“I am truly me when I have a pencil, a pastel, a paint brush or even a mouse in my hand,” Smith said. “Art gives me freedom to express what I need to say on paper and what I have built up on the inside. In my eyes, art is the greatest freedom of speech and form of expression in the world.
“I love that you can see what artists have been through through their work since everyone is different and has different morals, views and opinion.”
Takahaski is also on track to graduate this December with a bachelor’s in studio art. She won the Outstanding Student in Studio Art award last school year and is a recipient of a Ruth St. John-West Art Scholarship. She’s gained experience volunteering on campus, including designing posters for Japanese Association events and creating caricatures of guests at Soul Food Night.
Takahashi’s works in this exhibit include painting, drawing, watercolor, 2D/3D design and graphic design. She said her work is inspired by three things: observing things around her in daily life, looking at the work of other artists and challenging herself.
“Whether it's a technique I am using for the first time or a color combination I have never used before, having the courage to try it out will help me find new sensibilities and new ways to express myself,” Takahashi said.
“I create artworks because they speak for my character and personality. When I am creating artwork, I can be honest about my feelings, sense and sensitivity. When I am doing creative activities, I don't have to compare myself with others, I don't have to be interfered with by others' values and feelings and I don't have to be denied by others.”
Takahashi said expressing her personality through her work is fun, therapeutic and gratifying.
“This is the reason why I continue to make art,” she said. “That's why I am my most honest self when I am making my works, and those works are a good representation of myself.”
