THATCHER — The breakdown of an automobile during a college student’s trip back home resulted in an honor for the student, as well as the student considering a new career path.
On Friday, the latest student artwork was installed in the office of Eastern Arizona College President Todd Haynie. Each semester, Haynie features a student’s work for visitors to his office to view.
“They’re impressed by the fact that our students are so creative and so talented and can express it in this way, but also impressed that we have this connection with our students,” Haynie said.
The artwork, “Diminishing Return” in charcoal and conte crayon, was created by freshman Emery Daniels. She said the inspiration for the piece was her frustration in her car’s failure to get her home to her family.
“It was my first semester here, I was a freshman in college (and) I didn’t know what I was doing,” Daniels said. “It was such a big change for me, I wanted to go to my family. I missed them a lot.”
Each object in the artwork represents a part of that failed journey — a water bottle for the overheated radiator, a broken heart necklace signifying her sadness at not being able to see her family, and string representing the long road to get back home.
Her work being recognized and watching her professor, Holt Brasher, has made her rethink her career goals.
“Seeing what my professor does, I feel like an art teacher would really fuel my passion and my career,” Daniels said.
Brasher said he nominated Daniels for the art installation because he likes to “select someone dedicated to their craft,” and that “every one of (Daniels’) projects was at this high level.”
“Diminishing Return,” along with information about the piece and a bio on Daniels, will hang in Haynie’s office for the remainder of the year.
– David Bell Photo/Gila Valley Central
