Three seniors featured in art show

Titled “Happy Accidents & Oddities,” the show features the work of graduating seniors Rebecca Barger, Brooke Nelson and Tory Snyder. A reception for the artists will be Friday, Dec. 1, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Memorial Hall.

“Happy Accidents & Oddities” will be showing through Dec. 8. Memorial Hall Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Many of the pieces in the show are related to the identity of the artists, but the connections may seem odd at first glance, said Snyder, a native of Pierre, South Dakota.

“The happy accidents are just part of making art,” she said.

The art works in the show include odds and ends created for assignments, for gifts and “just from the heart,” said Barger, who hails from Atkinson.

“All three of us are firm believers in letting art take its course and happy accidents do happen,” she said.

Nelson, who is from Philip, South Dakota, has chosen pieces for the show that illustrate her love of horses, rodeo and ranch life. She said wood burning and glass work are the most rewarding media for her art, and painting is the most challenging.

“Working with colors is hard, but I am usually pleased when I get a painting done,” she said.

Clay is the favored artistic media for Snyder, who said it is both challenging and rewarding. But she enjoys making all kinds of art, and finds working with clay, glass and paint to be calming and captivating. Her entries in the show are centered on her identity, love of her home state, and family, including pets.

Barger said photography and working with glass are her favorite art pursuits, and that lack of experience makes painting the most difficult medium. She is exhibiting pieces that explore her personality and connection to family.

Nelson, who comes from a ranching background, is completing her bachelor’s degree in art, with a graphic design option. She plans to return home to work for her parents following graduation, and hopes to market her graphics and art skills with local businesses and schools. 

Both Snyder and Barger are graduating with bachelor’s degrees in education, with endorsements in K-12 art, and will be looking for teaching jobs.

Snyder said hearing stories from family members who are teachers about their breakthroughs with students inspired her choice of a career and the endorsement in K-12 art will allow her to fulfill a love to create and to help others make a difference in the world.

Barger said she chose art education because of her younger sister, who uses art to overcome a learning disability. She hopes to eventually earn an advanced degree in art therapy, in order to further a dream of helping struggling children through art.