Hickman Gallery to feature K-12 art educators in ‘Mentors and Makers: A Celebration of Artistry and Influence’

Dea Ewald, 12th grade, Adrian High School, A Bubbly Point of View, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Paint Pen, 2024

ADRIAN — Adrian College’s Department of Art and Design will feature “Mentors and Makers: A Celebration of Artistry and Influence” in the Hickman Gallery from September 27 to December 3.

This exhibition is the second installment in the department’s Annual Alumni Exhibition Series, featuring works by alumni who are currently K-12 art educators. Along with their own work, each participating alumnus will highlight the artwork of two of their most exceptional students to showcase the powerful influence of mentorship in the artistic journey.

The gallery will host an opening reception as part of Adrian College’s annual homecoming celebrations on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., where visitors will have the opportunity to meet the artists and discuss their work. The event is free and open to the public.

Travis Erxleben, Chair of the Department of Art and Design at Adrian College and Director of Hickman Gallery said the exhibition celebrates the lasting impact that Adrian College alumni have on the next generation of artists through their roles as educators.

“Art education plays a pivotal role in shaping young minds,” Erxleben said. “This exhibition highlights how the skills and passions of our alumni continue to resonate within the creative community, as they nurture the next generation of artists.”

Erxleben added that the exhibition serves not only as a reflection of the alumni’s personal artistic accomplishments but also as a “testament to their dedication to fostering creativity and talent in their classrooms.”

Hickman Gallery is located on the Adrian College campus with its main entrance accessible off Williams St.