University of Findlay Seniors Transform Family Stories into Art

The Senior Exhibition hosted its reception on Sunday, Feb. 24, featuring art that four University of Findlay graphic design students created. Two of the artists shared how their family served as inspiration for some of their pieces.

When Maggie Tuttle received a project brief to design a book jacket for a nonfiction story, she immediately turned to her grandmother for help. So one evening, Tuttle sat down with Evelyn Rhodebeck (Grandma Sam to her grandkids) at her kitchen table and asked for her life story.

Rhodebeck told Tuttle how two months after getting married in 1957, her husband was stationed in Huntsville, Ala. Missing her husband, she quit her job and moved to be with him. From there, she got a job as a secretary for the Southern Associate of Engineers, eventually gaining access to military flight patterns as part of her clerical work.

The project was named the “Love and Secrets Book Cover Redesign” with Grandma Sam’s face starring on the cover and her direct quotes on the front flap and back panel. But Grandma Sam isn’t the only family member to feature prominently in Tuttle’s work; her brother can also be found in a magazine design and in her digital photography.

“They inspire me. I’m very close to my family. I’m grateful for them to be my models,” said Tuttle.

Tuttle added that it’s been both rewarding and bittersweet to see her work on display: “Everything I know how to do, I learned from the University of Findlay… It’s an overall blessing to have worked with my family and professors on this.”

Tuttle currently works for a roofing company in Mansfield, Ohio as a marketing specialist. After graduating, she’ll be promoted to marketing director.

Macy May’s family also served as inspiration for one of her pieces. Her little brother, Carter, is a cancer survivor and his time in chemotherapy became the basis for “Koalas for Carter, Koalas for Cancer,” a chemotherapy kit for kids. The kit includes a book that explains what cancer is, a cape and mask, a stuffed koala, and a koala-themed activity book.

May said it was projects like this that showed her all she could do with her degree: “UF affords a lot of opportunity to explore all that encompasses graphic design.”

Originally from Coldwater, Ohio, May plans to move to Tampa, Fla. after graduating and is excited to get her foot in the door with a graphic design company.

“All four of these seniors are really smart, accomplished, and delightful people,” said Spencer Cunningham, Lea Gallery director and instructor of teaching in art. Cunningham worked with the students in his photography and Senior Portfolio and Exhibition classes.  The gallery showcased a wide range of mediums – from photography to ceramics to watercolors – and as a class, they worked to decide what original pieces should be exhibited.

“It was delightful to work with them. They’re very capable,” added Cunningham.

The Lea Gallery, located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion, will display art by Brook Bleile, Amber Hardeman, Macey May, and Maggie Tuttle until March 18. Those interested in purchasing art from the show can contact Cunningham at cunninghams@findlay.edu. All proceeds from the purchases will go back to the students.

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