Six women who majored in studio art at Colby-Sawyer are featured in an alumnae exhibition that opened Wednesday, Oct. 15, at the William H. and Sonja Carlson Davidow '56 Fine Art Gallery.  

Fittingly, an opening reception for the Come Together: Colby-Sawyer College Alumnae Art Exhibition was held Friday, Oct. 17, during Homecoming & Family Weekend.

The exhibition will run through Dec. 3. 

Featured artists are Ayumi Endo ’02, Katherine Gardener ’15, Stacy Hannings ’14, Lauren Morrocco ’17, Zoe Parys ’22, and Kristen Pobatshnig ’06.  

Jon Keenan, the Sonja C. Davidow ’56 Endowed Chair of Fine Arts and the Joyce J. Kolligian Distinguished Professor in the Fine and Performing Arts, taught all the featured alumnae artists. 

“We have been excited to organize and present an exhibition of CSC alumnae who majored in studio art at the college,” he said.

“Connecting the exhibition to Homecoming and fall reunion is the perfect time to celebrate the creative work of our amazing graduates from the past two decades.” 

Endo, a visual artist based in Japan, participates in projects worldwide. She focuses on the power of art and its role in society.

A piece of her 3D artwork for people who are visually impaired was exhibited at the Malacañang Palace in the Philippines.

She will travel the longest distance (from Tokyo) for Homecoming and the opening reception. 

Gardener credited Colby-Sawyer with being instrumental in her evolution as an artist.

Her pieces encompass nature, light, movement and layering of color.

Much of her artwork is based on her activities — running, being outside with animals and interacting with others.  

Hannings credits the natural world as her biggest source of inspiration, creating photographs and 3D installations to showcase its beauty.

She also owns Peace of Wild Studios, a freelance photography business, and snaps engaging photos in her role as communications manager with the Advancement & Admissions offices at Colby-Sawyer.   

Morrocco, who earned a BFA in studio art and minored in education, has produced a series of mugs for both a cafe and an inn.

In 2016, while still a student, she taught ceramics classes at the Maya Universe Academy in Nepal.  

Parys, who earned a BFA, accepts commissions for digital and traditional paintings.

In college, she won the Presidential Purchase Award and earned the Nancy Pierce William Art Scholarship and the Charlotte Cobb Stahl Art Scholarship. 

Pobatshnig uses fleeting dots and forms to create paintings inspired by the natural world.

She invites viewers “to share a dance between time and space, to revel in wonder, and to enjoy the colors and textures of nature and light.”  

“This exhibition brings together a range of incredible talent and creativity across media,” said Keenan.

“Seeing their work come together is beautiful and inspiring."