After four years of perfecting their artistry, eight Pepperdine seniors will finally be in the spotlight. The Senior Student Art Exhibition, which will take place in the Pepperdine Weisman Art Museum, is a chance for artists to display their talent one last time before graduation. The exhibits theme is Caravan, and it will officially begin with a kick-off event on Thursday, April 12, from 5 to 7 p.m. and will be on display until April 28. The opening reception is free of charge and open to the public.
Lo Formaz, an art major who finished her Pepperdine classes last semester, is one of the eight seniors displaying her art.
“I’ve been involved with art since I could pick up a pencil. I’ve always been obsessed with drawing and painting,” Formaz shared. “Finger paints were my favorite pastime as a little kid and I was always found sketching in class on my homework pages.”
Her love for painting has not changed; her showcase involves a series of oil paintings that are floral inspired with an abstract and impressionistic feel to them.
“I’ve been working hard on the show’s pieces since last semester, but each of us has been working on the concept and aesthetic of our work for the whole four years here at Pepperdine,” Formaz said.
Formaz is currently enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in downtown Los Angeles as an aspiring fashion designer. “My whole family knows how important this show is for me, and they’ll all be there, along with my friends, of course.”
Emily Branch, another Senior displaying her art at the event, found her interest in art at an early age, as well.
“I grew up doing art for fun with my siblings and mom. I always liked art class in school, and even attended art camps, classes, and workshops in the summer,” she said.
Branch started to sell her artwork at age sixteen and hasn’t stopped since. “My most recent commission was a painting of Cinque Terre for the Selby’s who teach and work at Pepperdine.”
Like Formaz, Branch will also be sharing paintings in the show, and she has started working on them last January. She said that her art-based journey will not subside at graduation; Instead, she plans to be an artist for the remainder of her life, but whether it be as a professional or not is unknown.
“I’ll create for the rest of my life,” she said. “I think it’d be fun to show my work internationally and do art residencies. I plan to put on a show or two this summer at home and maybe even try to get my work into galleries.”
Along with Formaz and Branch, Blair Berger, Hudson Campbell, Jamie Pillsbury, Amanda Ponce, Cara Strever, and Alexandra Williams will be showcasing their work at the exhibition next Thursday. After four years of perfecting their skills, their time has come to soak in the limelight and share their talent.
