Editorial Statement by Kristian Beverly, Visual Arts Editor

Art is a universal language. Whether one looks at photos or a mixed media of paint and pastels, the message translates to the viewer.  It carries stories within it that transverse time and space. Expression and emotion emanate from it. Art changes as time passes. Art tools change, as do most things, but the basic meaning–life–stays. When looking at this year’s crop of entries I saw the same thing. Art–photography and traditional art–that folds itself into the map of what art is. For example, the two-dimensional painting titled “Blind” catches the viewer. The black background drew me into the face with eyes on the hands. The stippling effect used to blend and roughen the picture is spectacular. The Best Photo, “A Door To Nowhere,” lures you in because of the black and white contrast. The utter blackness of the door makes you wonder what’s inside. Both of these top pieces of art give no written story of what they’re about. They just are. As Georgia O’Keeffe wrote, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way–things I had no words for.” I feel like that sums up why art ranges in style so much. It’s a language not meant for words.

Kristian Beverly is an English major in her junior year. A native of central Pennsylvania, she loves to read a little bit of everything and write whatever catches her eyes. She’s also a member of the Penn State Equestrian Team. This was her second year working on the magazine. She was the Visual Arts Editor.