FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kyle Huneycutt
(706) 379-5319, [email protected]
Young Harris College’s Campus Gate Art Gallery Presents Senior Thesis Exhibition
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College will present the Senior Thesis Exhibition, a culmination of artwork by graduating seniors. The show will be on display Thursday, April 7, through Saturday, May 7. A special reception with the artists will be held on Thursday, April 7, at 6 p.m. in the Campus Gate Art Gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public.
This talented group of senior art majors is comprised of Jake Bennett of Ellijay, Ga., Joshua Bloodworth of Lawrenceville, Ga., and Emma Dennis of Atlanta, Ga., and will present a diverse body of work including paintings, sculpture and digital mediums.
Jake Bennett
Bennet’s interest in feminism and gender conformity and nonconformity inspired the work featured in this exhibition. There is a particular focus on women from historical, literary and art communities. A graduate of Gilmer High School, Bennett is the son of Jody and Julie Bennett.
Bennett exercised his leadership skills at YHC as president of the YHC chapter of the Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity and as a resident assistant, but he dedicates the majority of his time to painting, sculpting, and researching.
He was awarded the Birdie Miller Art Award in 2012, and he received an “honorable mention” for his piece “Klara” at the 2016 Student Juried Art Exhibition. He recently received the “Most Artistic” senior superlative, as voted by his fellow classmates.
“YHC’s English, history, and art departments have significantly influenced my growth as an artist,” said Bennett. “Dr. Eloise Whisenhunt, Ted Whisenhunt, Jeremy Waltman, and Dr. Thomas Stearns, in particular, have conditioned me to think independently and grow in the academic setting. Because most of my work is inspired by many sects of academia, I am grateful for these professors whose dedication and passion for their teachings influenced me to submerge myself completely in the multi-faceted world of art.”
Joshua Bloodworth
Bloodworth’s work focuses on emotion and how it relates to art and the creative process. He is inspired by artists Rothko, Sam Gilliam and Andy Goldsworthy. A graduate of Peachtree Ridge High School and the University of North Georgia, Bloodworth is the son of Mike Bloodworth.
Five of Bloodworth’s artworks have been selected for the 2015 and 2016 Student Juried Art Exhibitions. He is a member of the Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity and serves as an “Alpha Iota Guy” for Alpha Iota Sorority.
“The art program at YHC has taught me both the technical and conceptual skills I needed in order to develop as a professional artist,” said Bloodworth. “My professors have always pushed me to test my limits within the artistic context and have helped me to focus my efforts during my more impulsive art movements.”
Emma Dennis
Dennis’ art is an acknowledgement of human mentality and emotion. “My center piece is something I’ve always wanted to do, and it has never been attempted at YHC—a 3D animation,” said Dennis. A graduate of Brandon Hall School, Dennis is the daughter of Gary and Susan Dennis.
A member of the Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity, Dennis presented work in the 2013 and 2015 Student Juried Art Exhibition.
“I started YHC as a music major, so when I transitioned into art, I wasn’t used to focusing on detail, and I hadn’t discovered my own art style,” said Dennis. “The art program at YHC introduced me to more styles and types of art that I had never thought of trying before. I have since developed my own style.”
The CGAG is located at 5149 College St. on the YHC campus. Regular gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information, contact (706) 379-5114 or [email protected].
About Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, baccalaureate degree-granting college located in the beautiful mountains of North Georgia. Founded in 1886 and historically affiliated with The United Methodist Church, Young Harris College educates, inspires and empowers students through the highest quality liberal arts education. The College currently has more than 1,200 students across five divisions—Education, Fine Arts, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The historic campus in Young Harris, Ga., is currently undergoing major campus improvements to accommodate the College’s growth. Recent LEED-certified campus improvements include the 121,000-square-foot Rollins Campus Center, new residence facilities, and a 57,000-square-foot recreation and fitness center. In 2014, the College was granted active membership in NCAA Division II and is a fierce competitor in the prestigious Peach Belt Conference. YHC is among fewer than 300 colleges and universities nationwide named to the 2015-2016 list of Colleges of Distinction. For more information, visit yhc.edu.
Young Harris College will present the Senior Thesis Exhibition, a culmination of artwork by graduating seniors.
###
