By Samantha Paul
@samantha_alexx
As a young kid, Nhu Truong always enjoyed drawing and coloring as a pastime. Now, as a third-year Art and Design student at Springfield College, she is bringing her talents to bigger canvases and larger stages.
The Northampton Center for the Arts is offering emerging college artists from across Western Massachusetts the opportunity to showcase their work in a new month-long exhibition. The exhibit, titled “New Artists—New Perspectives”, is in collaboration with The Quabbin Art Association and runs from Dec. 4-Jan. 3.
Truong is one of two students from Springfield College selected to showcase their work at the Northampton Center for the Arts this month, alongside Chris Sanabria.
For Truong, who began creating what she calls “actual art” only within the past three years, she says she is incredibly thankful to be chosen for the exhibit.
“We received the notice for the exhibition very close to the deadline,” Truong said. “I was stressed out and unsure if I could finish two large drawings in time. That said, I felt relieved that it was done and grateful for the opportunity.”
The exhibit showcases each student’s unique art style and artistic perspective. Truong explained that her work was inspired by the items that she saw while traveling. In her drawing, she aims to capture the charm in old objects, including a run-down vending machine and a rusty swing.
In line with The Quabbin Art Association’s mission to support Pioneer Valley arts, each participating artist will receive a $250 cash stipend and a 2-year Quabbin Art Association membership. This initiative intends to expand these young artists’ networks and give them a jumping-off point for their art careers.
Truong explained that the true starting point for her has been the Art and Design program at Springfield College. Through the program’s coursework, Truong has improved her technical abilities and discovered what works best in her art. Specifically, graphite and watercolor, both of which she used to create her pieces for the Northampton show.
“Being an art student at Springfield College definitely helped prepare me because I would never have had the opportunity to be part of the art exhibition or get feedback on my artwork and framing process,” Truong said.
With the help of Nancy Birmingham from the Quabbin Art Association and Kelly Murphy, who assisted the students on campus in preparing for the show, Truong says she is looking forward to sharing her work through the exhibit and the Center’s Meet the Artists Reception on Dec. 13th.
Truong, Sanabria and other students’ work will be on display all month long, with free public admission into The Northampton Center for the Arts from noon to 7 p.m. on Wednesday through Saturday.
(Photo courtesy of Northampton Center for the Arts/Instagram)