Between 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on April 24-26, LSU’s Free Speech Alley is transformed into a unique showcase of artistic talent as the LSU Ceramic Arts Student Association hosts its biannual School of Art Market.
The event brings together students from various art disciplines, including ceramics, digital art, graphic design, painting, sculpture and printmaking to showcase their work in a shared space.
Aspiring students line the walkway displaying a diverse array of artwork. Whether simply admiring or looking to purchase a piece, students passing through can immerse themselves in the creativity of their peers, supporting local talent and adding a touch of art to their day.
The School of Art Market is a platform for students to showcase their talents and profit from their work. Proceeds from the market go to the individual artist, giving them a valuable opportunity to earn income from their creative endeavors. Additionally, funds raised from the market contribute to the School of Art’s efforts to bring in guest artists.
The Reveille spoke with some of the artists about themselves and their artwork.
“I was a high school art teacher for the better part of 18 years, and ceramics has always been my focus … I wanted to come back and get a master’s degree to hopefully teach at the collegiate level,” said Pete Froehlich, a second-year ceramics MFA student.
“I’ve been doing ceramics for about 25 years now, on and off,” Froehlich said. “My work is functional and intended to be used. I’ve recently started making larger serving pieces that are gathering spaces, encouraging social interaction and connection during shared meals.”
“I’ve been in the School of Art for three and a half years. And I just really love working with my hands. There’s no real comparison to it. I like making little things that people can take with them,” said Adrianna Hawkins, a fifth-year sculpture major.
“The only thing I like to do is paint. I think that if I weren’t doing art, I would not be in college,” said painting and drawing junior Cheyenne Marchetta.
Ella Madura, a junior painting and drawing and chemistry student, discussed her evolution as an artist, saying, “I took my first painting class here, and it took over my life. I switched to being dual-degree, so now I’m getting a BS and a BFA.”
Madura’s work often reflects personal spaces and relationships. “A lot of my pieces are interiors, their personal interiors, to me, they’re kind of self-portraits. So a lot of it is personal space for me with people who are close to me,” she said.
“I love how stories can impact people. That’s why I mostly want to go towards more comics and illustrations,” said digital art senior Loreal Bart.
By participating in the School of Art Market, these students not only showcase their talents but also gain valuable experience in marketing and entrepreneurship. The market provides a platform for students to sell their art, connect with the community and take a significant step forward in their artistic careers.
