Columbus State, Columbus provide a canvas for 2024 art education grad

July 11, 2024

Nurtured by the art lovers and educators in his life, 2024 art education graduate Greysen Strumpler left his mark—or perhaps, his brushstrokes—on the local art scene during his studies at Columbus State University.

Strumpler, born and raised in nearby Waverly Hall, learned much about art from his grandparents as a child. His love of art continued through middle school and into high school—where a teacher at the latter recognized his talent and encouraged him to do more. This push was exactly what Strumpler needed to launch himself headfirst into the art education program at Columbus State. 

Columbus State was Strumpler’s first choice for college, primarily because it was close to home and offers a strong art education program. He found that the Department of Art’s mentoring faculty and well-established pathway to the community’s art scene complemented what he was learning in the classroom.

“The support I received as an artist, the partnerships with my professors, the networking opportunities—all of this prepared me well for the community outside Columbus State and with the skills I needed to connect with people and foster business and personal relationships,” he said. “Columbus is such a cool city for the arts. We have wonderful galleries, artists just beginning their careers, and professional artists.”

During his junior year, Strumpler met Carrie Beth Wallace. A 2009 Columbus State alumna, Wallace is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Columbusite, a print-and-digital arts news and events publication. Strumpler soon became its inaugural student ambassador—charged with showcasing Columbus State art students and their work. The job description later expanded to include local artists and their effect on the community.

“Greysen took the job and ran with it, writing event previews, student profiles, and single-handedly organizing the fine arts exhibition for [the city’s April 2024] ArtsFest—he did it all,” Wallace (pictured with Strumpler) recalled. “He is an exceptionally talented artist, but he’s also a people person and a driven self-starter.”

When Wallace decided to launch the publication’s Student Ambassador program, she sought recommendations from the arts community. Everyone she asked—including Columbus-based painter Bo Bartlett, the namesake of the university’s Bo Bartlett Center—recommended Strumpler. 

“[Greysen] has fostered a much-needed pipeline between Columbus State art students and their community. He made a tremendous impact with a role that didn’t even exist one year ago. He truly made the most of his four years at CSU, and we are so lucky to have worked with him. I am sad to lose him, but I couldn’t be prouder of him,” Wallace said.

FINDING HIS NICHE IN PAINTING

Strumpler found his artistic niche in allegorical figurative paintings, which means the work features people—or the human figure—as the main subject. Each piece of art he creates—primarily oil paintings—means something to him. He considers each piece a self-portrait; while he’s not necessarily in them, each represents a segment of his feelings and thoughts.

“My first painting class was with [adjunct instructor and professional painter] Sally Bradley, and she became one of my favorite professors,” he said. “She mentored my independent study and her thoughtful leadership set me on the right path.”

Ahead of her inauguration as the university’s sixth president, Dr. Stuart Rayfield commissioned Strumpler and four of his classmates to create original artwork for her Presidential Investiture Art Series. Drawing upon his positive experiences with professors, the strong community aspect present on campus, and how, at its center, Columbus State is founded on people helping other people, Strumpler created a piece he called “Community to the Core” (pictured). 

“There are so great things I can say regarding [Columbus State], but I feel that at the core of all of those things is community and the love for one another that CSU fosters,” Strumpler explained of his painting. “Community and love for each other within that community is essential for other good things to grow because all other good things — opportunities, success, empathy, grace — are the results of first caring for one another.”

Strumpler is now in a four-month residency with Bethany Artists Community in Bethany, New York, where he is creating and exhibiting his art while working with summer classes and art camps for children. Following that, he plans to earn a master of fine arts degree in painting, with the ultimate goal of entering the educational field, teaching at the college level, and continuing to create his own art.

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Story contributed by Kim Drew, APR

Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing, 706.507.8729, mtullier@columbusstate.edu