Diggs Gallery senior exhibit brings serenity

The Senior Art Exhibit in Diggs Gallery was a life-changing experience. As soon as I walked in, the atmosphere reminded me of a poetry reading or a jazz concert.

It was a mellow and stress-free atmosphere.

It was a different world.

When you first walk in the exhibit, you see the work of Winston-Salem State seniors.

Their work is very analytic, and it seemed as if they put more thought into the precision of the piece than the creativity.

I did like the art work, and it took me to another place in life. This place was a place of peace and into the artists mind.

After viewing the work of WSSU's senior artists, I viewed many pieces from the 12th graders of Forsyth County. The talent of this young generation amazed me. Some of the pieces I viewed were as deep as the mind frame of someone twice their age. Their choices of themes for their artwork were very advanced and clearly seen in their work.

There was one piece, where a malnutrious child with every bone in the body frame visible, and filled with facts about major world issues. In the background of the piece were more facts.

This piece was passionate, and as I read the facts, my heart went out to the entire world that was suffering from problems like poverty, malnutrion, and other diseases. I could feel the emotions of the artist as I looked deeply within the piece, as if I were there when the young artist was preparing this piece.

Another piece that touched me was a drawing of a young girl. I could see the pain, and longing for help in her eyes. Her eyes were very dark and gloomy with a spot of light in the corner. The light in the corner showed a grain of faith that seems empowering.

The dark lines on her face showed the internal scars that she bears. The scars from life and its circumstances made the drawing more than just a regular drawing of a girl.

This piece was very empowering to me. I found familiarity in it.

Although I loved the sculptures, I think that the drawings and paintings speak in a way that one cannot ignore. They speaks in a way that makes you stop and pay attention whether you just passing through or came to view that exact piece.

I found peace, serenity, hope, empowerment, and relativity in these pieces. I learned that poetry is not the only type of art that can speak to a person.

This was my first time viewing an art exhibit and it will not be my last.