THATCHER, AZ—Eastern Arizona College freshman Emery Daniels was honored as a Presidential Designee at a special reception hosted by the EAC Fine Arts Council last week. The event took place at the Graham County Community College District Office, located in the Student Services Building on EAC’s Thatcher campus.
The prestigious Presidential Designee honor is awarded on an as-deserved basis to fine arts students who produce high-quality work that demonstrates both technical skill and artistic depth. Daniels was selected for this recognition based on her piece, Diminishing Return, a deeply personal work reflecting her first semester in college—a time of transition, homesickness, and resilience.
“Emery Daniels is an eighteen-year-old freshman Graphic Design major at Eastern Arizona College and was raised in Queen Creek,” said EAC art professor Holt Brasher, who nominated her for the honor. “Her featured artwork is a narrative still life that visually and symbolically represents a tragedy-filled drive to return home (where the heart is) due to car troubles. The drawing uses Daniels’ penchant for realism in rendering various items that help tell her story in the form of still-life objects.”
Diminishing Return was inspired by Daniels’ frequent trips home to Queen Creek to reconnect with family. As she navigated the emotional challenges of leaving home, she also faced a literal struggle—her car’s engine began to overheat, forcing her to constantly refill the radiator with water just to keep going. Despite multiple visits to mechanics, the problem remained unresolved, and the car was ultimately deemed irreparable—a “modern mystery,” as she and her family jokingly called it.
The objects in her piece symbolize that difficult journey: water bottles and gallons poured endlessly into the parched car, a string representing the long road ahead, and the radiator cap and cloth used to remove it. A spray-painted toy car resembles her own vehicle, while a broken heart necklace represents the emotional strain of the constant breakdowns. In contrast, a heart-shaped ring, given to her by family, symbolizes the connection she was striving to maintain despite the obstacles.
“This piece was fraught with challenges from the start,” Daniels shared. “Every step presented its own hurdles. I spent hours contemplating an idea that would resonate both personally and with the viewer. Despite the difficulty, I worked in stages until I finished just before fall break, eager to spend time with my family.”
Daniels was celebrated at the reception alongside several distinguished guests, including her parents, Brasher, Fine Arts Division Director Dr. Gideon Burrows, Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs Dr. Susan Wood, and EAC President Todd Haynie.
“One of my greatest privileges as president is being able to display student-created art in my office,” said President Haynie. “It serves as a daily reminder of the incredible talent we have here at EAC. Emery’s work is not only visually compelling but also deeply personal, and it speaks to the kind of dedication and skill that this honor represents. The fact that her professor selected her for this special designation is a true testament to her abilities.”
The Presidential Designee honor highlights Eastern Arizona College’s commitment to supporting and celebrating emerging artists whose work demonstrates excellence and artistic integrity.
