For most students, senior year represents the final peak of all their efforts at ACU. For six students, it offers the chance to share the fruits of their labor with the rest of the community. The senior art show, “Against the Grain,” opened this Thursday and showcases the works of Aubrey Barnett, Lauren Bennett, Leanne Kawahigashi, Lee Anna McGee, Chelsea Tatum and Blake Watts.

These December-graduating seniors are all graphic design majors, with the exception of Bennett, who is majoring in interior design. The theme of going “against the grain” is particularly significant to all involved, because it celebrates the uniqueness of each participant.

“‘Against the Grain’ is more along the lines of not being the same as everybody else – standing out from the crowd,” said Bennett.

As an interior design major, her contributions include floor plans, renderings of planned spaces, and examples of her proposed materials and finishes. Her exhibits feature a hospital and a hotel.

“It’s a really talented group of people, people I’ve wanted to be in a show with since I became an art major. I think it’ll be a really good one,” said Watts, who has created diverse graphical products such as band posters and infographics.

Kawahigashi, exploring the connotation of wood grain, is utilizing a laser cutter to transform her designs into three-dimensional wooden creations.

“We’ve worked really hard the past few years to prepare excellent work for people to see. It’s a final culmination of the past couple years in the art department, looking back and seeing what we’ve learned and how we’ve improved,” Kawahigashi said.

“Against the Grain” will be on display in the Shore Art Gallery from now until Dec. 13 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m Monday through Friday.

Students prepare for their student show in Shore art gallery. (Optimist photo by Mandy Lambright)