The 2021 Art + Design Senior Show is more than the finished, successful work viewed on the walls of a physical gallery; it’s about the thought, the effort and the time it took to get it there.
A virtual 3D walkthrough of the works on display in the Carnegie and Vandiver galleries encompasses the work of 27 seniors who will be graduating in May from the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. Beyond just viewing works of art, the virtual gallery offers visitors a chance to get to know each artist and connect with them.
AU Senior Taylor Smith said that COVID-19 presented a challenge to create a virtual experience for those who physically couldn’t visit the gallery spaces to see the artwork in context.
“We use a software called Matterport that 3D maps the physical space. Lots of other museums and realtors use this to display houses or professional gallery spaces,” Smith said.
Smith said that students studying painting and drawing needed their work to be shown in a different format to students studying graphic design.
“Overall, the goal was to make the site be a platform for each senior to connect with possible employers and to have their own space to display their art or design,” Smith said.
Among the many works of art on display is a body of graphic design work from AU senior Jullianna Eckardt, which includes logo designs, package designs and a book layout. Eckardt often reflects on the words of renowned American designer and filmmaker Saul Bass: “I want to create beautiful things even if no one cares.”
“If my art and or design can reach someone, creating a lasting memory with a positive experience for them, that is enough for me,” she said.
Eckardt said that Anderson has helped her grow personally and artistically throughout each project and provided “lasting memories along the way.”
The entire gallery can be experienced via a digital tour at scsaseniorshow.com.
The works are also on exhibit in the Vandiver Gallery of the Thrift Library on the Anderson University campus and also downtown at the Carnegie Gallery, located in downtown Anderson at 405 North Main Street.