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Amanda Smith ’10 (Henderson, Nev.), a double major in economics & business and art, has been working with Lew Minter, director of the art department’s media lab, on a number of professional digital imaging projects this semester as an EXCEL Scholar. Smith is also a member of the women’s varsity basketball team.
I plan to pursue a career in advertising, and as a double major in economics & business and art, I thought having both the creative and business aspect would help me succeed in the industry. The opportunity to do research with such a brilliant mind like Lew Minter is such a privilege. I have been able to assist in digital reconstructions of works by historical artists like Antonio Vivarini, helped visiting artists in the designing and printing of their artwork, and I am currently working on an installation for Easton Hospital.
Easton Hospital just received a top 50 rating in the nation. The hospital asked Prof. Minter and me to design an installation based on the Five Pillars of Excellence to be placed in one of the halls within the hospital to help promote this wonderful achievement. The installation is still in the design phase and will be constructed next semester. This project is an excellent opportunity to show the close relationship Lafayette has with the City of Easton.
Our work focusing on Vivarini consisted of digitally reconstructing two of his 15th century altarpieces for an artist located in Florence, Italy. The artist sent us photographs of the different pieces and we edited each piece. Prof. Minter then constructed the altarpiece frame and inserted each character into its frame. These reconstructions will be shown in the Gemaldegalerie Museum in Berlin, Germany.
This whole experience has broadened my range of capabilities as an artist and has expanded my creativity. I feel very fortunate to have been given the chance to assist such amazing artists and work on projects that are making a tremendous impact on the art world. EXCEL is a great way for students to get a look at the projects that will be presented to them in the real world.