Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Augustana Observer

Senior artists prepare exhibits

While most senior inquiry students are preparing poster boards or research papers, the handful of seniors in the Augustana College art department are facing a different challenge.
For many, the creative journey started a year ago, as senior Melissa Chiodo can attest.
“Trust me when I say that none of these pieces happened overnight,” said Chiodo. “We’ve all struggled a lot with exactly what we want to show and say–a struggle which has included having group critiques every few weeks…not always the most fun thing in the world.”
Chiodo, who uses both photography and writing, hopes to capture the identity of individuals through personal space.
“My subject in particular, a woman named Sherri who I’ve been working with for about a year now, is a bit atypical in her relationship with her personal spaces,” Chiodo said.
Chiodo is just one of many students trying to balance both technique and expression in her artwork.
Sarah Frachey, a graphic design major, utilizes the tools that she’s gained in the multimedia lab and applied them to her art. Frachey, whose pieces center on artificial light sources, like streetlights and traffic lights, took a more technologic approach.
“The fact that I chose to paint these all on the computer instead of painting them in the traditional sense connects to me as someone interested in computerized art,” said Frachey. “I’m a graphic design major, so exploring the capabilities of creating art with Photoshop is something I will keep pursuing.”
Fellow senior Sara Fraterrigo, who is also a graphic design major, initially chose a digital form, but ended up applying a more traditional medium.
“My theme was always the same, but I started off with a project that was digitally focused because of my graphic design major, but ended up switching to acrylic paint because the medium better supported the mood of changing realities that I wanted to get across,” said Fraterrigo.
Fraterrigo’s paintings embody the whimsy and fantasy of animation.
“I never grew out of the cartoon phase of my childhood,” said Fraterrigo. “I always found animated movies to be absolutely incredible. Anything could happen because with animation, something doesn’t have to exist in real life to exist in a film or television show.”
While not the traditional senior inquiry, the process to the final product is just as arduous, especially with a larger graduating pool and shifting deadlines.
“With Symposium Day now being the day for verbal presentation of the works since last year, new and early time lines are given the seniors, and the large size of class this year further adds the need to break them in two groups to show, resulting in new deadlines for concise statement for printing, etc. communicated and handled by art museum director with the students,” said Peter Xiao, professor of art.
Each artist has a different message for their audience, and a few helpful hints for the public as they walk through the upcoming showcase on
After several weeks, with each piece of work displayed, these senior artists can revel in their final works at Augustana.
“I think I can speak for the other student artists as well when I say there was a lot of thought and effort put into coming up with a concept and working and reworking initial ideas into something attainable, yet meaningful to each of us,” Frachey said.
Studio Art majors will present their work next month.

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Senior artists prepare exhibits