An inside look at the study abroad experience.
(COLUMBIA, Tenn. – Oct. 25, 2017) - - - Columbia State Community College’s Pryor Art Gallery presents the “Wanderer Expressed” exhibit Nov. 1 – Dec. 7. An artists’ reception will be held on the closing day, Dec. 7 from 4 – 8 p.m.The exhibit documents the travel experiences of Columbia State study abroad students as a part of the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies program. Ninety-eight photos show scenes from Brazil, France, England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Ecuador, Italy, Greece and Spain. A special section in the gallery will be dedicated to service learning, illustrating the depths of some of the students’ volunteer experiences.
Destiny Seaton, 2017 Columbia State graduate, in collaboration with Wes Dulaney, Columbia State director of international education and assistant professor of biology, conceived the idea for this photojournalistic exhibit. Seaton studied abroad in Brazil in 2016 and in South Africa in 2017 with the help of scholarships awarded to her by the college – she wanted to give back to Columbia State by sharing her experiences and show appreciation to and raise awareness of TnCIS. Seaton approached Michele Wilkinson, Pryor Art Gallery curator, to ask for the gallery’s participation in developing and hosting the exhibit. The two branded the exhibit “Wanderer Expressed.” Wilkinson wrote a creative brief that was given to the study abroad students prior to their journeys to aid in the planning and taking of their photographs.
"It was a perfect fit for following the gallery's primary objective – providing a space for academic learning while supporting creative process and thinking for students and the community at large," Wilkinson said. "I have so enjoyed working with Destiny. She is such a bright and talented person already making a difference in this world.”
The TnCIS study abroad program offers a multitude of life-changing cultural experiences for the students, for some, this included volunteering their time in service learning with the directive of helping to improve conditions for people in need across the globe. For example, in the South Africa program, students have done service learning at Ons Plek, a non-governmental organization that provides a safe place for children after school who otherwise would be on dangerous streets. These service learning experiences not only improved the lives of others but impacted the students giving them culturally immersive experience and a greater appreciation for the luxuries that they have as citizens of the United States.
"Columbia State students have participated in study abroad programs with the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies hosted across the world,” Dulaney said. “I am delighted to have a forum to display their wide range of global experiences."
The public will be asked to participate in voting on the best and most popular photograph in the exhibit. The winner will be announced and awarded during the artists’ reception.
The Pryor Art Gallery is in the Waymon L. Hickman Building on the Columbia Campus located at 1665 Hampshire Pike. The exhibit is free and open to the public Monday through Thursday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. For more information about the Pryor Art Gallery or the exhibit, contact Michele Wilkinson at 931.540.2883 or at mwilkinson2@ColumbiaState.edu.
Photo Caption: “Impanema Sunset” by Destiny Seaton.
Photo Caption: “Tolon Seaside” by Tori Larocco.
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