Owensboro Community and Technical College is showcasing the work of three graduating art students in a new exhibition titled “Pathway Through Humanity,” on display through May 14 in the Dayman Art Gallery.
The exhibit features Associate in Fine Arts – Visual Art degree candidates Wyatt Woods, Selena Lopes, and Kris Grenier. Located on the upper level of the Learning Resource Center on OCTC’s main campus, the gallery is open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A free closing reception is scheduled for May 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with refreshments provided.
The exhibition brings together a range of artistic styles and media, including drawing, painting, fiber art, and mixed media, while exploring themes of identity, environment, and the shared human experience.
Assistant Professor of Art and Program Coordinator Abigail Ruppert said the exhibit serves as both a creative and professional milestone for the students.
“In addition to showcasing each candidate’s persistence and growth during their time in the program, this exhibit provides them the opportunity to collaboratively prepare, curate, install, and de-install a group art exhibition,” Ruppert said. “This is an opportunity most art students don’t get to experience until their last year of a bachelor’s degree, if at all.”
She said the exhibition also reflects the students’ diverse backgrounds and shared experiences during their time at OCTC.
“Pathway through Humanity (a title chosen collectively by the exhibitors) brings together three students with varied backgrounds and experiences through their intersection at OCTC,” Ruppert said. “It has been a privilege to work with Wyatt, Selena, and Kris over the last two years and witness their growth and tenacity.”
Lopes’ work focuses on emotional resilience and personal growth, drawing from her experiences with anxiety and self-doubt. Grenier’s multidisciplinary work is shaped by extensive backpacking and explores the relationship between identity and the natural environment. Woods emphasizes patterns and structure in nature, creating compositions that highlight the interconnectedness of small details within larger systems.
The exhibition represents the capstone experience for OCTC’s visual art students, showcasing both technical ability and conceptual development as they prepare for continued study or professional careers.
The Dayman Art Gallery is located at 4800 New Hartford Road.
