Category: Art & Art History

Serena Small is an Art Studio major with a minor in Management from Miami, Florida. We asked Serena about her time at Gustavus and plans for the future. What do you look forward to most about life after Gustavus? SS: “Traveling” What’s one piece of advice you’d give high school students considering Gustavus? SS: “Utilize…

Sanjeeda Tazrin Shutrishna is a Mathematics, Studio Art double major with minors in Computer Science, Art History, and Arts Administration from Madaripur, Bangladesh. After graduation, she hopes to attend graduate school. Professor Byers describes Sanjeeda and her work as such, “Sanjeeda’s art explores color, pattern, culture and visual representation. Her work offers an elegant surprise…

Preston Hanstad is a Studio Art major with a double minor in Music and Film & Media Studies from Coon Rapids, Minnesota. In the future, Preston plans to apply for jobs in video production so he can keep creating. Professor Priscilla Briggs had the following to say about Preston: “from the start, his sense of…

Megan Aber is a Studio Art major from Bloomington, Minnesota. In the future, Megan wants to become an art handler and own her own gallery. Professor Kristen Lowe had the following to say about Megan, “Megan Aber was born to be an artist. It was clear from the beginning in the first class she enrolled…

Kjerstin Anderson is a Theatre major and Studio Art minor from Owatonna, Minnesota. In the future she plans to attend graduate school for costume design at the University of Kansas City, Missouri. Professor Larissa McConnell describes Kjerstin as “an absolute delight with a unique laugh that lights up a room. The costume shop has benefited…

Līvija Shaeffer is a Studio Art major from Lincoln, Nebraska. Associate Professor Art Betsy Byers had the following to say about Livija, “Livija combines material and image in surprising ways. She has been a presence in the art department since her first year and is our go-to student for talking with new students.” We asked…

Hannah Saunders is a Biology and Dance Honors double major from Lakeville, Minnesota. In the future she wants to continue working in the biology field and potentially attend graduate school. Professor Melissa Rolnick says that “Hannah has been an outstanding student contributing to and serving the dance program in multiple ways. She has proven herself…

Heather Holten is a Studio Art major from Los Angeles, California. In the future, she plans to pursue face and body piercing. Professor Lower had the following to add about Holten: “With COVID blanketing our student body over the past couple years students were faced with increased anxiety and isolation. Heather met these challenges utilizing…

Gretchen Van Ess is a Studio Art and Psychology double major from Minneapolis, Minnesota. In the future she wants to have a PhD in Clinical Psychology and develop a private practice. Professor Lowe describes Gretchan as “an example of what we sometimes see with the double majors. She really engages in the artistic formalities of…

Gigi deGrood is a Studio Art and Art History double major from Edina, Minnesota. In the future she plans to take a gap year, refine her art portfolio, and apply to graduate programs for a Master of Fine Arts degree. Professor Betsy Byers says that deGrood “Gigi oozes style. She brings a mix of humor…