March 5, 2024

Columbus State University art students dominated in the Peach Belt Conference’s recent annual Art Exhibition, including sweeping its “Campus Spirit” category.

“The students from the Department of Art exhibit remarkable talent and dedication. Their passion for artistic expression knows no bounds, and their achievements continue to astound me,” said Hannah Israel, gallery director and a professor in the Department of Art. “Their capabilities are a testament to their unwavering commitment to their practice and the commitment of the department’s faculty.”

The annual exhibition features two- and three-dimensional submissions from students and faculty within the 10-university athletics conference to which Columbus State and other Georgia, Florida and South Carolina universities belong. Entries are divided into two categories: “General” and “Campus Spirit.”

Columbus State’s first-, second- and third-place entries in the “Campus Spirit” category are familiar to many at the university, as they each were part of the artwork series commissioned to commemorate Dr. Stuart Rayfield’s Oct. 20, 2023, investiture as CSU’s sixth presidency.

Winning first place was Campbell Eubanks (pictured), a native of Columbus majoring in fine arts. Her porcelain vase entitled “Cultivating Creativity” was inspired by both the community she has gained while at Columbus State and Chinese porcelain design techniques.

“Much like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the shape of the vase is modeled after a traditional Chinese porcelain style called Fengweizun. The porcelain material signifies the exceptional education I have received so far,” she explained. “The main face of the vase depicts the most significant takeaway from my academic journey: community. The people—from classmates to faculty and staff—have all contributed positively to my growth as an artist, a student and an individual. For me, this vase serves as a testament to me of the importance of human connections in education and beyond.”

ShuLin "Serena" Zheng (pictured), a senior originally from China and now residing in Warner Robins, Georgia, is majoring in art with a focus in graphic design. Her digital artwork, “Guidance,” captured second place. It illustrates the guidance and mentoring from which she’s benefited while a student.

“I wanted to show my appreciation for Columbus State University’s faculty members in my piece,” she said. “It depicts them guiding students, like how the cougar is leading her cubs. At CSU, I see how much the faculty want to help students succeed. They are always so caring and accepting. At CSU, I have been able to make great friends, and I want to see us head to a brighter future.”

Senior art education major and Waverly Hall, Georgia, native Greyson Strumpler (pictured) won third place for “Creative to the Core,” his rendition of the Main Campus’ Whitley Clock Tower.

“For my piece, I really wanted to focus on the community aspect of Columbus State,” he explained. “There are so many great things I can say regarding CSU, but I feel that at the core of all of those things is community and the love for one another that CSU fosters. 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.”

Senior art student Vinh Huynh (pictured) claimed the first-place spot in the “General” category for his dry-point intaglio and collaged photogram entitled “Bedtime Prayer.”

“In this piece, I played with the concept of homoeroticism and religious symbolism,” he explained. “I used the imagery of plant and flowers symbolizing my growth and transition into adulthood and discovering more of my queer identity. The halo on the male figure represents my embrace, intimacy and admiration for my partner.”

Huynh was also among the group of five students creating art as part of Rayfield’s presidential investiture. Last year, he also joined Assistant Professor Samantha Yoo of the Department of Art as a featured muralist for the new “Spirit of the Chattahoochee” mural spanning the banks of the Uptown Columbus Riverwalk.

The winning artwork from both categories will be displayed digitally at the sites of the 2024 Peach Belt Conference Men’s and Women’s Tournament Championships.

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

Related news coverage:
2024 PBC Art Exhibition winners announced (March 1, 2024, Peach Belt Conference)