Artist Stories

Faith Carrol, a young actor from Frankfort Kentucky, has always loved the process of becoming another person that acting provides. Faith expanded on the details of stepping into a role and imagining how the character would feel, or how they would react when confronted by different situations. She believes that art introduces is the the more colorful aspects of life. Beyond that, art allows us to see outside of ourselves and into the minds of others. Through a shared appreciation for the arts, we are given the opportunity to learn more about each other, and "further your horizons." From theater, Faith was able to make many friends, who she would not have spoken to if it were not for theater. More importantly, Faith has learned to appreciate these people for who they are. Faith explained that theater "helps me understand other people's ideas, and it helps me understand that not everyone is going to be the same of me." Through the arts, Faith has learned to value these differences nonetheless.

From drawing on cave walls, to the people we have become, Gavin Prifogle credits our evolution to art as people to art. He also credits much of his own self development to acting. Gavin explained that acting had been a way to "vent out" self doubt and insecurity, stating that "I've used this as an outlet of sorts so that I can start to respect myself more." With this, Gavin highlights the importance of art as a form of emotional release, providing the artist with a sense of peace or resolution. Gavin believes that everyone can contribute through artistic mediums, and convey what message they may choose through their work, as a way to reach out to an audience, or to become more ideal versions of ourselves.

Despite her peers love for PE, Halley Collier grew up enjoying music class. This passion was encouraged by Halley's music teacher who inspired her to join middle school band, where Halley learned [], and fell in love with being part of a musical ensemble. Deciding to continue her education in music, Halley is now a music education major at Morehead State University, as well as a drum major, and the president of the female music fraternity. When questioned on her choice as a music major, Halley stated, "I want to spread my love with other people, and make sure that kids are enriched through their experiences. During her years as a musician, Halley has learned that while it can be difficult to express certain emotion, yet art can separate this emotion from the artist. Therefore, these feelings can become more tangible and easier to understand for both the audience and the artist. Halley described the all encompassing nature of art, commenting that there is an area within the arts for everyone. We all have the potential to utilize art in order to reflect within ourselves or explore the reflections of others, and we must choose to do so.

It is Lifu Stigers's greatest dream to become a singer/songwriter. Lifu was inspired by the artists she listened to on the radio, as well as the creative people Lifu interacts with on a day to day basis. The manner in which these people are able to create pieces that mean so much to them moved Lifu to feel a sense of connection with these people, even if she disagrees with them. Lifu described the relationships people form through art as a "soul to soul connection" that moves us to "not only be a better musician...but to make you feel something." Music is structured as a story, and Lifu believes that the story each song tells is the key to each overwhelmingly emotional response. Even if certain songs are not well received, or don't have the intended emotional reaction, as an audience we can still understand the story being told, and resonate with it. Through this music can become a catalyst for understanding. Above all, music acts as a universal language. No matter what language each person speaks, "music is the one thing that, regardless of where it is coming from, the singer or the instrument allows you to imagine the emotion and imagine the story." Lifu expanded to add that with art, we gain the ability to look into another person's life through the art that they create. Even if we appear vastly different, art allows us to see past the things that set us apart and realize our similarities.

Throughout his years as a trumpet player, Chris has felt a connection to music, often acting as something to "bounce back on" during low points in his life. He believes that the connecting aspect of music is the story contained within each piece. Chris acknowledged that art has the power to directly convey our opinions toward the world that otherwise would remain unknown. However, because we choose to put these feelings on display--no matter how venerable this leaves us--we open ourselves up for others to experience the things we feel, understand our emotion, and connect through them. Chris believes that "if we did not have art...or any other type of curriculum that helps of move or helps us go, we would be boring people." Chis elaborated by explaining that we all have our "special talent," and it is our responsibility as people to "activate" this special talent, so that we may share it with the world, providing it with the character that keeps things interesting.

For Andy Jones, visual art was the passion that she and her mother bonded over. With an education in visual art and writing, Andy's mom enthusiastically encouraged Andy's own captivation with the arts. Andy describes the connections made from art has a deeply emotional thing enabled by universal experiences. Andy finds it especially fascinating that a single work of art can unite such a large mass of people, even if each person's interpretation is unique. She explained that each person sees the same work of art in a different way, which a concept she takes particular interest in. Still, as people relate to art through their millions of different experiences, these experiences are enough to bring the world together through a single instance represented in a piece of artwork.

Pepper Evans--a young visual artist who was born and raised in Morehead Kentucky--has always found enjoyment in the arts. For Pepper, art has acted as an emotional outlet, or a means to connect with the people she misses most. Pepper sees art as a way to achieve change through spread awareness. Pepper explained that if someone were to create a painting covering a serious topic, the artists audience would be able to gain a better understanding of that topic, or an understanding that they would have otherwise lacked. Even if art itself is not enough to improve our character, the understanding formed by the creation of art aides us in the process of becoming better people.

As a Morehead State University writing professor, Dr. Deanna Mascle considers writing to be of the upmost importance thinking both critically and creatively. After learning about SAA, Dr. Mascle offered to open a writing department, which had been missing from the camp's curriculum for many years. The SAA director, Greg Wing, was pleased to offer Dr. Mascle a position, and give youth the opportunity to explore their interests and creativity through writing. Dr. Mascle believes that art "connects people across all dimensions." As she explained, "We can experience art that was created centuries before we were born, but we can also listen to a poem that was composed while we were writing together at the same time. Each of those experiences connects us as people." This brings about the point that art can be used for more than connecting us to the living, but also has the power to connect us to civilizations that have long since collapsed. Without any other means of communication with these societies, art acts as a primary connecter to our past. Dr. Mascle also discussed universal experienced of loss of joy, stating that though we appear different, we have a great amount in common. These universal experiences encourage us to consider, or even feel the ideas and emotions of others. This connects us as, and makes us better as people.

Through she originally wanted to become a scientist, Kennealy Roberts discovered that her passion was in journalism and writing after getting a job at the Morehead radio station. It was through the connections formed at the radio station that Kennealy was offered to opportunity to work in the SAA writing department. Kennealy believes that this was a great opportunity, stating, "Its very nice to be able to help people go into what I'm interested in and what I like doing." Kennealy also addressed the importance of having good journalists in the field, especially considering the poor reputation that journalists receive. For this, it is vital that we have effective journalists, which is a process Kennealy is happy to be a part of. Kennealy believes that art is the optimal way to express universal experiences for others to understand. She expanded explaining that when people view other's art, "they know what you're going through, even if they don't know you." The entire audience may not be able to relate to a certain piece of art, but they can still feel empathy for the artist. Kennealy explained that it is not artwork itself that improve our empathy and character, but the combination of creating it and consuming it. Art is the one form of expression in which you can release all of your emotion without stakes or repercussions. Once this release of emotion enters the world, there will be an audience who is able to relate to the work. This exchange of art allows empathy to develop between the artist and audience, no matter their prior relationship.