Wright State fine art students find inspiration in prestigious summer art programs

Works created by Wright State students Taylor Hurte, left, and Maris Brewer during art residency programs are on display during September in the Creative Arts Center.

Two Wright State University fine arts students participated in separate prestigious national art residency programs this summer, and their shared experience is featured in a joint art exhibition on display in the mini gallery space in 131 Creative Arts Center.

The exhibition, which marks the culmination of an intense summer of learning and working at their craft for Taylor Hurte and Maris Brewer, is on display through the end of September.

“It’s exciting to share my work, and I am looking forward to seeing them hanging together,” said Hurte of the exhibit.

Glen Cebulash, professor of art at Wright State, said the exhibition provides another learning opportunity for Hurte and Brewer.

“Exhibiting work is exciting but also a bit intimidating,” said Cebulash. “The exhibition is a good opportunity for them to learn about the process of selecting work and arranging and hanging a show in a somewhat low-pressure environment. It will prepare them for not only future exhibitions but will also introduce them to gallery work, where many artists ultimately build careers.”

Hurte, a 2010 Valley View High School graduate and Germantown native, is pursuing a B.F.A. in Art with a concentration in painting and expects to graduate next spring. She returned to school to pursue her artistic interests in 2021 and chose Wright State because of her familiarity with the university and the opportunity to work with the art faculty.

“Wright State has exceeded all of my expectations so far,” she said.

Hurte spent her summer at the Chautauqua Institution in New York for an art residency where she had her own private studio and spent six weeks focusing on her painting. She also had the opportunity to experience other art forms, including ballet and opera.

Instructors from across the country participated in the residency and provided critical feedback to the young artists.

“The experience was incredible, and I feel like I was able to grow a lot as an artist,” Hurte said, adding that some of the works she painted while in Chautauqua this summer are featured in the joint exhibit.

Brewer graduated from West Carrollton High School in 2019 after taking three years of studio art and initially enrolled at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. She eventually transferred to Wright State and a whim decided to major in painting and drawing.

“I’ve met some incredible people and had amazing experiences in this program,” said Brewer, who also expects to graduate next spring. “I never would have started oil painting if it weren’t for the Wright State program.”

Brewer spent her summer at the Mount Gretna School of Art in Pennsylvania and participated in a core intensive program with approximately 20 students. The program included painting outdoors several times a week, drawing classes and guest speakers, among other activities. The critiques Brewer received during her residency were invaluable.

“My tolerance for painting is now much higher,” Brewer said. “I still don’t know if I’m really a painter, but I’m going to keep painting, and I really feel like I can keep painting for a long time now.”

Glen Cebulash, professor of art at Wright State, said the summer programs’ application processes are exceptionally competitive, and that Wright State has sent many students to such programs where they are consistently among the most proficient and dedicated.

“One of the great benefits of a summer program is the immersiveness and the intensity,” said Cebulash. “Students who attend places like Chautauqua and Mount Gretna come away with the type of discipline they need to navigate careers in art. In addition, being among other equally talented and committed young artists is both challenging and inspiring.”

Hurte and Brewer plan to pursue a Master of Fine Arts after graduating from Wright State, but first Brewer would like to spend time painting with a few of those she met at Mount Gretna.

“There are some people whose work is so magnetizing, maybe someone will feel that way about mine and Taylor’s show,” she said.