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Art major Maya Freelon ’05 (Durham, N.C.) is gaining firsthand experience in the various facets involved in creating and succeeding in the professional art world.
Using photographic images from the past and present, and original works that envision the future, Freelon and two other seniors have created and will install a 130-foot mural in Farinon College Center to highlight Lafayette’s continuing evolution.
Overseen by Curlee Holton, professor of art and director of the Experimental Printmaking Institute (EPI), the mural likely will be installed mid-December. When it’s complete, the two-panel mural will consist of 130 one-foot digital images that blend together in a montage of sorts. The images will illustrate Lafayette’s past, present, and future.
Freelon also is involved in a variety of tasks linked to the EPI, including taking care of prints for other artists and making prints of works created by artist Faith Ringgold, which will be displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art later this year.
“To be able to say ‘I worked on that,’ and then to see it on a wall, that kind of work is really exciting,” she says. She is working with Holton through Lafayette’s distinctive EXCEL Scholars program, in which students conduct research with faculty while earning a stipend. The program has helped to make Lafayette a national leader in undergraduate research. Many of the more than 160 students who participate each year share their work through articles in academic journals and/or conference presentations.
Holton, who founded the EPI in 1996, says the experience the students are gaining in working on the mural and in the printmaking institute is invaluable.
“It will have a lasting impact on the development of those students,” he says. “Over the years, students have gone into the professional world and have often referred to their time here and how the lab had prepared them.”
In prior EXCEL work with Holton, Freelon served as an apprentice in a variety of projects, assisting visiting artists with tasks involved in their exhibits such as preparing their works and doing publicity for their shows. She also assisted with the Professional Practices Workshop and played a role in the printing of works at EPI, including a limited edition print for Ringgold.
“Maya is a gifted artist,” says Holton, “and this work is placing demands on her and challenging her in ways that will make her understand and strengthen her gifts as well as give a real-world view of the art world.”
Freelon engaged in significant research for the mural project. After the images for the mural were chosen, she used Photoshop to manipulate and integrate them digitally, then created the base canvas for the mural
As project leader, Freelon has developed professional art management skills such as organizing project teams, contacting artists, research, and planning and conducting meetings, she says.
Freelon is grateful for the chance to be involved in many activities and, in particular, for the opportunity to interact with practicing and acclaimed artists.
“Working actively with artists and actually getting to hear their stories have been the most amazing part of being an EXCEL Scholar,” she says. “Everything that I have experienced can be implemented in what I want to do for the future. I have concluded that a practicing artist has a very demanding and multi-dimensional job. This opportunity has definitely inspired me to work hard to achieve my goals.”
The mentoring she has received from her adviser has been particularly inspiring to Freelon. She credits Holton with making her rise to the occasion and realize strengths and leadership skills she had not previously developed.
“My mentor has been a constant support system,” says Freelon. “He is always around if I have a question and pushes me to work hard and produce quality results. I have been working with him for three years now and have experienced this encouragement since the beginning. I could not ask for anyone else more devoted to seeing his students advance in the world.”
She adds, “Professor Holton has always provided a comfortable yet structured environment, so when he suggested that I become his EXCEL Scholar, I was very interested. He stated from the beginning that the work would be more intense and that he expected much more of my time and energy. Driven by challenges, I accepted the position.”
Freelon notes that most of her previous work in the studio was under the close supervision of other student leaders and Professor Holton.
“Now I am making decisions on projects and directing other student workers,” she says. “It has been an enlightening challenge to work through problems instead of going straight to Professor Holton for help. His high expectations have expanded my skills and talent in my artistic career.”
The combination of strong one-on-one mentoring and unique opportunities has made her experience at Lafayette a positive one.
”There are many opportunities to get involved at Lafayette,” she says. “It is the perfect environment for EXCEL projects because the faculty can be devoted to one or two students and really dedicate adequate attention to providing a unique learning experience. I do not think that professors at larger universities would be able to provide this type of attention, which is critical for a meaningful learning experience. If you are willing to work hard at Lafayette, you have the support and opportunity to accomplish anything.”
A graduate of Williston-Northampton School, Freelon is president of Nia, a multicultural women’s support group, a member of the Association of Black Collegians, and a volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Her prior activities include being a member of the Residence Hall Council, a student Panel Representative, a member of the Resident Adviser Diversity Committee, and a Siblings Weekend Leader. She also has participated in campus art shows and served as a teaching assistant for the Intermediate Printmaking course.
As a national leader in undergraduate research, Lafayette sends one of the largest contingents to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research each year. Forty-two students were accepted to present their work at the last annual conference in April.
Maya Freelon ’05 fulfilled a variety of responsibilities as an EXCEL Scholar working with Curlee Raven Holton, professor of art and director of the Experimental Printmaking Institute.