Original works by seniors from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff were featured in an art exhibition held in April at the Hathaway Howard Fine Arts Building, according to a May 9 announcement. The event was part of UAPB’s 153rd Founders’ Week and was organized by the Department of Art & Design.
The exhibition highlighted pieces from seniors Brandon Scott, Emory Eagles, Kalyn Pendleton, Le’Brian Muhammad, and Mawutor Kwami Ammamoo. Dr. Karen DeJarnette, chair of the Department of Art & Design, said that this year’s show marked a return to campus after five years and drew significant attendance. “So many people showed up that night during the exhibit,” DeJarnette said. “It’s the first time we’ve ever had the exhibit during Founders’ Week, and it’s the first time we’ve had it on campus in five years. Our building has been closed, so we’ve been having them at The ARTSpace on Main Street, which means fewer students and faculty would travel there for the reception. We had a great turnout and several students sold pieces.”
DeJarnette explained that for graduating art majors, this exhibit serves as their capstone project instead of a traditional exam: “On our campus, every senior has to have an exit exam and score 70 percent or higher to walk across the stage. That exhibit is what we call a capstone project… You have to curate your work, create the exhibit, write your artist statement, mount the exhibit, and attend the reception.” She added that participating gives students their first professional experience as artists: “If they apply for graduate school, the work from the exhibit can be photographed and uploaded to their application.”
Scott described his mixed media process as deeply personal: “It can be a color… or position of the piece that represents the story I am trying to tell,” he said. Eagles reflected on how photography helped him connect with sports after his aunt passed away: “Though living with sickle cell disease limited my ability to fully participate in sports, photography became my way into that world…” Pendleton shared how art led her through self-discovery: “Art has reawakened parts of me I didn’t realize were dormant… Each piece I create carries layers – images upon images…” Muhammad views his work as an exploration: “For me it is a way to express my curiosity… The goal is to be able to invoke emotion within people…” Ammamoo focuses on capturing emotions through portraiture: “The large paintings show a figure in a moment of strength and voice… My interaction with subject or their story evoked a feeling that I tried to capture in painting.”
The university supports student development through experiential learning opportunities like this exhibition while also offering outreach programs aimed at diverse populations in its region according to its official website. UAPB operates within both Pine Bluff and North Little Rock locations as part of its broader commitment according to its official website.
As these graduates prepare for future careers or further study in creative fields—bolstered by hands-on experiences such as public exhibitions—the university continues recognizing excellence among both faculty and students according to its official website.
