Elle Stephenson, a fourth-year student completing their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at Oregon State University, is making waves not just for their artistic talents, but also in their dedication to community outreach.
As they prepare for an upcoming showcase spanning the month of December at the Joan Truckenbrod Gallery, Stephenson hopes to use their platform to inspire others with their art and “create a conversation between (them) and (their) audience” as they perceive their painting and sculpture work on the idea of one’s “subconscious” mind.
In addition to their own artwork, the topic of community accessibility to student art came into question as Stephenson discussed how many opportunities there are outside of the OSU visual, performance and design arts bubble that they had to go and seek out themselves.
While this initiative has to be taken in any working field, Stephenson said there would be more paths for fellow art students if the connection between the community and campus is streamlined.
Stephenson said this is happening gradually with student art being showcased in local coffee shops, restaurants and galleries, but many of these opportunities come and go.
Stephenson stated that once they got their name out into the community through events such as the monthly Corvallis Art Walk, they were integrated into the web of artistry. The community in Corvallis lifted them and “propelled their work” as a result.
This sentiment echoes throughout the student art community here at OSU, as many, like Stephenson, work to navigate both the academic and external art worlds.
Current and former OSU art students Angel Black, Aspen McCallum and Eva Israelsen, who are working alongside Stephenson at the Truckenbrod Gallery Exhibit stated that it took “inserting” oneself into the broader Corvallis art community to gain opportunities like the December gallery showcasing their work.
Professor encouragement and assignment were some of the biggest driving factors for each artist to reach out to the community around them and look for ways to make their art seen and appreciated.
For Stephenson, getting your work out into the world is about “taking the opportunities offered” and “trusting in your own work.” As a featured artist in the summer Memorial Union Transitions Concourse Gallery, Stephenson expresses that artistic vulnerability is important, and they always enjoy seeing how “other people see themselves” within their work.
All of the artists collaborating in the Truckenbrod Gallery highlight Stephenson’s point that art is meant to inspire. Fellow collaborator Aspen McCallum said that the collective work created by all four artists shows how group artistry alters the way one can experience their artwork, as it helps them broaden their perspectives. broaden their perspectives.
Sharing a similar sentiment, new OSU alum Angel Black expressed how the Truckenbrod project feels good to work on as a former student. “It’s a good challenge and practice to work off of one another,” said Black, explaining that such an opportunity isn’t as accessible as an artist outside of school.
While there is no fix-all solution for art students to be presented with all opportunities for their taking, Black, Israelsen, McCallum and Stephenson all acknowledge and appreciate the continuous work of Corvallis community members who make it their mission to highlight student work.
