Final Clayton Center art show of the academic year features works by MC seniors
April 25, 2023
The Clayton Center for the Arts is abuzz with activities as the 2022-23 academic year comes to a close at Maryville College, but nestled amidst the buzz is the season’s final art show featuring the works of two Maryville College seniors.
Meredith Webb, an art major from Bristol, Tennessee, and Lauren Adams, a design major from Seymour, Tennessee, have prepared the exhibits as part of their Senior Study requirements, according to Dr. Carl Gombert, MC professor of art.
“The senior project is an independent study that encourages students to create a meaningful body of work devoted to a particular subject or theme,” Gombert said. “The senior project spans two semesters and involves six credit hours of work.”
“A Look Inside,” a collection of mixed media works by Webb, will be on display in the Clayton Center’s DENSO Gallery from Friday, April 28 through Saturday, May 6.
“My show is a collection of works that all feature myself as the subject matter,” she said. “Through these pieces, I have explored self-perception, self-acceptance and the relationship between soul and body.”
Because the works contain adult content, parental discretion for this exhibit is advised.
For Adams, her graphic designs — currently on display in the DENSO Gallery — draw on a lifelong love of the Great Smoky Mountains and the need for environmental stewardship to sustain them.
“My childhood memories of picnics, hikes, and playing in mountain streams have instilled in me a deep love and respect for the environment and the diverse wildlife and plant species that call it home,” she said. “That’s why I have chosen to focus my senior thesis on the ongoing issues facing our national park. Unfortunately, despite the efforts of park rangers and environmental professionals, pollution and waste remain persistent problems in the Great Smoky Mountains.
“Litter, human waste, and vehicles contribute to air and water pollution and can harm local wildlife. It is disheartening to see people treat our national park with such disregard, but I believe that increasing awareness is a crucial step toward protecting it.”
Adams’ collection, titled “Pack It In, Pack It Out: Waste in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park,” will also be on display through May 6.
A reception to honor the artists will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 28, at the Clayton Center. Admission is free, and the reception is open to the public. Clayton Center galleries are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and admission is free.
