Transylvania University faculty Anthony Mead, Zoe Strecker, Kurt Gohde, Grace Ramsey, and David Gerhard gathered for an Artist Q&A on Tuesday, October 1st. Students and faculty packed into Morlan Gallery to learn more about the current exhibit, Shifting Practice, and enjoy pizza from Mad Mushroom.
Moderator Morgan Hardigree ‘25 opened the discussion by thanking the professors for their work and their time. Those in attendance were able to submit questions prior to the event which ranged from personal inspiration to advice for up-and-coming student artists.
On the topic of inspiration, professor of painting and drawing, Grace Ramsey discussed how her surrealist work is “mostly about the female experience” and that it has really “evolved since becoming a mother.”
Anthony Mead, Director of Morlan Gallery and instructor of art, said that he sees humans as “tool users” and is intrigued how this influences the “way we go about life.”
David Gerhard pointed out that, with animation and digital art, the concepts of his work aren’t usually up to him but instead the client he is commissioned by. However, when given the chance, Gerhard leans into humor to elicit laughter in his audience.
When asked about creative processes, professor of sculpture and integrated media, Kurt Gohde spoke on how he loves learning new things. Gohde sees each project as “learning experiences” which keeps him coming back for more. In fact, when asked about teaching art at the college level, Gohde described how the setting opened the conversation in ways that he was unfamiliar with, which excited him. He elaborated by saying the type of thinking and art he is drawn to “doesn’t happen outside a university setting.”
Ramsey added on, describing that once her intuition kicks in there is this “mysterious thing that happens” and she finds herself “addicted to that type of wonder.”
Several pieces in the show were from years ago, which sparked the conversation of growth. Mead responded to this by stating “There is so much richness in seeing how an artist evolves.” It was this sentiment that acted as the catalyst for the show. Mead stressed that the artists were given an unusually short amount of time to prepare for this show, only three weeks. Ramsey mentioned how she had to “unearth” older pieces that had not been brought out in years.
Zoe Strecker, professor of ceramics, highlighted Ramsey’s wording in the literal sense, pointing to her cement sculpture titled, “Founder” which resided in the elements of her own backyard for years. Strecker had to cut down trees and overgrowth to bring it to the gallery. She noted how she prefers this version, speckled with lichens from nature, to the original.
Perhaps the main takeaway for students in attendance would be Gerhard’s remark that “Creativity is just a language like anything else. You can learn it.” Shifting Focus: A Transylvania University Faculty Exhibition closes on Friday, October 11th. Check out the Morlan Gallery in Mitchell Fine Arts Center on weekdays from 12pm-5pm.
