Third Year in the Alumni Art Exhibit | Seton Hill University
One of my favorite parts of Alumni Weekend at Seton Hill is that I get to experience it from two perspectives.
For most of the weekend, I'm working behind the scenes as part of my role in Institutional Advancement/Alumni Relations. But the Alumni Art Exhibit is the one event I intentionally keep free. My family comes to town, I'm a two-time alumna, and I'm also exhibiting work in the show. It's one of the few moments during the weekend when I get to step back and simply be part of the community I'm helping celebrate.
Returning to the Juried Exhibit
This year marks the third year that my work has been accepted into the juried Alumni Art Exhibit, and that still feels special every time.
The piece I exhibited is a photograph of a goose mid-honk titled Disruption. I've always loved the energy in that image. It's a little chaotic, a little funny, and impossible to ignore, which is exactly why the title felt right.
Being included in the exhibit alongside so many talented alumni artists is something I don't take for granted. Every year I walk through the gallery and find myself inspired by the range of work on display, from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media.
The Gift of Showing Up
What made this year especially meaningful was that my parents came to support me.
They drove roughly 2.5 hours each way in the same day just to be there for the reception. As an adult, I think you become more aware of what those gestures actually mean. It's easy to say someone is supportive. It's another thing to spend five hours in a car for an evening event because you want to celebrate your only daughter.
I don't think I'll ever stop being grateful for that kind of support.
Enjoying the Reception as an Alum
The reception itself was exactly what I hoped it would be: a chance to slow down and enjoy the weekend instead of rushing through it.
I spent time looking closely at the other pieces in the gallery, catching up with people, enjoying good food and a drink, and simply taking in the atmosphere. One of my favorite moments was glazing a piece with my mom for the raku firing demonstration. It was such a simple activity, but it became one of those memories that ends up mattering more than you expect.
Wearing Two Hats
There's something unique about participating in Alumni Weekend as both a staff member and an alumna.
Most of the time, I'm focused on making the experience meaningful for others. The art exhibit reminds me that I'm part of that story too. I'm not just helping run the weekend; I'm also returning to campus as someone who studied here, created here, and continues to share work that began in this community.
That balance feels increasingly important to me. And this year, with my parents there beside me again, the evening felt less like an event and more like a full-circle moment.