Tag: Sean Barton

Art Students Showcase Talents and Creativity at Exhibition

May 4, 2024 | Art Campus News

The annual East Central College Art and Design Student Exhibition showcased the remarkable talents of students from various disciplines demonstrating their creativity and skill.

The ECC Art Gallery buzzed with excitement during the April 25 reception as students and faculty gathered to celebrate the exceptional artwork on display.

Jennifer Higerd, Assistant Professor of Art and ECC Art Gallery Curator, and Sean Barton, Graphic Design Instructor and Art and Design Department Executive, presented awards to the talented winners in each category. They also acknowledged honorable mentions for their outstanding contributions.

Among the standout talents was Milo Guile, whose piece titled “Fallen Angel” earned him the highest recognition of “Best of Show.”

Milo’s achievement is exceptional given his previous success in last year’s exhibition with his wire art piece, “Coat Hanger,” which won Best of Show in the 2023 Exhibition.

The external juror, Sean Ramirez, a Senior Product Designer at Build-A-Bear Workshop, brought valuable expertise to the judging process. Prior to his current role, he contributed to the animation of beloved Disney films such as Mulan, Tarzan, Lilo and Stitch, and John Henry.

Below is the list of winners in each category:

Drawing — Maddi Jaegers, Bottles

Functional Ceramics — Christina Keeven, Fish Plate

Figure Drawing — Kayla Brinkmann, My Dome

Painting — Ash Marcus, Not an f* chicken*

2D Design — Angelique Holtmeyer, Catlusion

Illustration — Lann Remer, The Troll Emerges

Digital Design — Kayla Brinkmann, Moscow

Graphic Design — Hallelujah Medlock, Fruits of the Spirit

Sculpture — Carlie Shaw, Sweet Music

Film Photography — Miriam Bondor, Once upon a time

Printmaking — Hallelujah Medlock, Illuminated Tree

Honorable Mentions

Figure Drawing — Chae Keeney, Kimber

Painting — Amy Hervey, Shoes

Patron’s Picks

Continuing a tradition spanning over a decade, ECC’s Patrons of the Arts graciously supported our student artists by acquiring the following artworks to enrich the ECC Art Collection:

Ash Marcus – Not an f** Chicken

Carlie Shaw – Sweet Music

Desiree Delisi – The Overgrown

Hallelujah Medlock – Fruits of the Spirit

Hannah Pilarski – Brim

Lann Remer – Amalgamation of Consumerism

Maddi Jaegers – Mime

Connor Flaherty – Drift Away

Zoe Meyer – Sunset Clouds

ECC Art Program Grad Earns Full Ride to Webster University

May 17, 2023 | Art Campus News

East Central College Class of 2023 graduate Parker Williamson received a Presidential Transfer Scholarship from Webster University, where she will study graphic design and ceramics.

Williamson, of Sullivan, graduated Cum Laude from ECC on May 13 with an Associate of Fine Arts degree, emphasizing in graphic design and ceramics. She will start at Webster in August.

Parker Williamson standing in art gallery

The Webster Presidential Transfer Scholarship is a full-tuition scholarship award, which is eligible for renewal for an additional year.

Williamson received the scholarship for academic achievement and leadership. At ECC, she served as the president of the Art Club, and she was a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

“I really couldn’t believe it — I was stunned,” Williamson said about learning of the scholarship award. “It’s a full ride as long as I maintain a 3.0 and I am a full-time student.”

Williamson also will participate in the Webster LEADS program while she works toward a bachelor’s degree in graphic design. The LEADS program encourages students to serve as educational role models within the Webster community.

“I love the possibilities of graphic design. There are so many career paths to choose from,” she said, adding that after she graduates, she would, “love to get a job designing billboards or posters for a big company.”

Williamson noted that she will continue to study and create ceramics.

“Ceramics is my passion and I want to keep that practice in my life,” she said. “I love being able to make my own true functional objects I can use in everyday life. I love when art becomes useful and that’s why I love learning and studying new things in ceramics.”

Her experience at ECC and in the Art program helped her succeed, she added.

“ECC is a great college with a great Art program. There are a variety of classes that will push you to expand your skills and knowledge in the art world, in every way possible,” Williamson said.

ECC and its art instructors have helped prepare her for Webster University, she said, while inspiring her to follow through with her education.

“All of the wonderful art department instructors have helped me along the way, but Sean Barton, (graphic design instructor and art and design department executive), has helped me the most,” she said. “He made sure I looked at all my options when it comes to schools and made sure I know all the right questions to ask, and that I’m well informed in any decision I may make.”

Williamson was active in ECC events through organizations, like the Art Club.

“I love the environment at ECC, it’s super comfortable and accessible,” she said. “I feel very comfortable walking anywhere and everyone is easy to talk to — there are always fun events and clubs to be involved in.”

Parker Williamson posing next to her illustration

Student Milo Guile with Best of Show award

Winners of ECC Art & Design Student Exhibition Announced

May 3, 2023 | Art Campus News

Many talented and creative students were recognized April 27 during a reception for the East Central College Art and Design Student Exhibition.

Jennifer Higerd, assistant professor of art and gallery curator, and Sean Barton, graphic design instructor and art and design department executive, presented awards to the winners of each category and recognized those receiving honorable mentions.

“It was a delight to welcome students, their families and friends to celebrate the work they’ve done over the past year,” Higerd said. The art and design student exhibition closed May 3.

The highest recognition, Best of Show, was awarded to Milo Guile, Washington, for his wire art piece, “Coat Hanger.”

Listed below are the winners in each category:

Digital Design — Jon Queen, “Osamu Tezuka”

Printmaking — Miriam Bondor, “Adventure Awaits”

Digital Photography — Miriam Bondor, “In Bloom”

Watercolor — Chloe Eades, “Medusa”

Sculpture (3D Design, Ceramics) — Milo Guile, “Thunder”

Functional Ceramics — Lacy Buchanan, “Curvy Vase”

Painting — Zoe Meyer, “Egg”

Drawing — Parker Williamson, “Hand Study”

Figure Drawing — Abby Stanfield, “A Study of Light”

2D Design — Mackenzie Rieger, “Season of Stripes”

Illustration — Emmalyn Henderson, “The Rigid Reflections of Blackthorn Wood”

Honorable Mention

“Parasomnia,” Kimber Clement-Thompson

“The Home as it Pertains to the Vessel,” Elijah Uffman

“Pumpkins and a Silver Fork,” Megan Pritchard

“Unrealistic Standards,” Elijah Uffman

Patron’s Picks

Listed below are artworks purchased by the ECC Foundation to be added to the college’s art collection:

“The Big Cheese,” Abby Stanfield

“Medusa,” Chloe Eades

“Mom’s Stew,” Elijah Uffman

“Medusa,” Emmalyn Henderson

“Winged Woman,” Hallelujah Medlock

“The Healing of the Oak Sprite,” Emmalyn Henderson

“Pumpkins and a Silver Fork,” Megan Pritchard

“Coat Hanger,” Milo Guile

“The Rigid Reflections of Blackthorn Wood,” Emmalyn Henderson

“Rabbit and Fox” (tiles), Megan Pritchard

“Forest Walk,” Milo Guile

Art & Design Student Exhibition Winners Announced

May 3, 2022 | Art Campus News

During a reception for the Annual East Central College Art & Design Student Exhibition, the Best of Show was presented to Manny McQueen for his Self Portrait.

That is in addition to several other Best in Category and Honorable Mention accolades presented at the exhibition reception held April 28 in the ECC Art Gallery.

The exhibit is a celebration of the culmination of the year’s hard work, growth, and learning by the students, according to Jennifer Higerd, ECC art instructor and gallery coordinator.

This is the first reception that was held in person since 2019. For the artists, it is an opportunity for their parents, friends, and family to join the faculty to acknowledge and honor their hard work.

The Art & Design Exhibition showcases the work ECC students accomplished over the course of the academic year. The show closes Wednesday, May 4.

During the award presentations, Sean Barton, graphic design instructor, described that the class of freshman and sophomore students as a “powerhouse,” due to the number of incredible artists in the ECC program.

Students may submit up to five works to be considered for the exhibition. The art faculty selected the works to be on display, and an outside judge – Michael Behle, artist and art professor at UMSL — chose the best works in each category as well as the Best in Show award.

Listed are the show winners and honorable mentions by category, and the names of the works:

Best of Show

Manny McQueen – Self Portrait

Digital Design (Poster Design)

Honorable Mention – Caleb Brinker, Visit Rothyll travel poster

Best in Category – Parker Williamson, Labyrinth, have a cup of tea

Digital Design (Page Design)

Honorable Mention – Carolyn Horst, Gerard Way

Best in Category – Blake Rodgers, Critical

Digital Photography

Best in Category – Sage Sparkman, Delicate Daffodils

Graphic Design

Best in Category – Carter Hanse, Wild Advances

Photography

Honorable Mention – Miriam Bondor, Love With Your Life

Best in Category – Joseph McCary, Art School Jesus

Sculpture (3D Design, Ceramics)

Honorable Mention – Madison Barbarick, Humminghorse

Honorable Mention – Manny McQueen, Ugly Tiger

Best in Category – Carter Hanse, Treeli

Functional Ceramics

Best in Category – Manny McQueen, Sake Set

Painting

Honorable Mention – Kylee Vawter, Self Portrait

Best in Category – Emma Lombardino, Self Portrait

Drawing

Honorable Mention – Megan Pritchard, Colanders & Cones

Honorable Mention – Emily Knoppe, Arts n’ Cats

Best in Category – Chloe Eades, Not your hole

Figure Drawing

Honorable Mention – Mary Bequette, Skellyman & the Patient

Honorable Mention – Emily Knoppe, Colorful Figure

Best in Category – Abby Stanfield, Female Figure

2D Design

Honorable Mention – Caleb Brinker, 200 Lines

Best in Category – Lacy Buchanan, Danny 5 Ways

Illustration

Honorable Mention – Emily Knoppe, Aerial Witchcraft

Honorable Mention – Ash Dodson, Vegan Pho Bowl

Honorable Mention – Travis Gatlin, The Harp

Best in Category – Sara Carter, Unreliable