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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Nov. 1, 2018) – Milligan’s senior photography majors will present exhibitions of their senior portfolios on Nov. 4-16 in the Milligan Art Gallery located inside Derthick Hall.
Shaun Whitson, a biology and photography double major from Kingsport, Tennessee, will present his senior art portfolio, “Near and Far,” Nov. 4-9, with an opening reception on Sunday, Nov. 4, from 2-4 p.m.
Whitson’s interest in photography originated at Milligan when he was a high school student attending the college’s summer fine arts camp. The college’s emphasis on community made an impact on him.
“As a first-generation college student, a connection with professors and my major was important to me,” said Whitson. “I did not find that connection when I enrolled at a larger college as a freshman. Remembering my time at the fine arts camp made me want to come back to Milligan, so I transferred.”
Whitson’s exhibit is comprised of multiple images that vary in distance. For example, Whitson contrasted a prominent image of the Rosette Nebula, which is located about 5,200 light years from Earth, with an image of a mushroom taken at less than four inches away.
“The most interesting aspect of photography is the way in which it allows us to view the world around us from a new perspective,” noted Whitson. “A camera allows us to slow the world down and see things incredibly up close or far away. I wanted to capture this in my show.”
Senior photography major Andrea Holtsinger, of Limestone, Tennessee, will present her senior art exhibition, “Wherever the Path May Lead,” Nov. 11-16. An opening reception will occur on Sunday, Nov. 11, from 2-4 p.m.
Holtsinger, a photography and fine arts double major, used her senior exhibit to reflect on her experiences at Milligan. One of her favorite memories is from her freshman year when she worked on photographs in the college’s dark room for the first time.
“Looking through my photographs and paintings, I noticed a recurring theme of paths,” said Holtsinger. “I decided to focus primarily on paths in nature for my portfolio and to include a metaphorical meaning about the paths we take in life, such as school, career and our walk with God.
Both exhibitions and opening receptions are free and open to the public.
To learn more about Milligan’s fine arts programs, visit milligan.edu.