The start of this November was greeted with the numerous works of art from some of ACU’s students, put on display in the Shore Art Gallery on campus.

In May, 16 students from the department were hand-selected to accompany Dr. Dan McGregor, associate professor of art and design, for two and a half weeks abroad in Leipzig, Germany. The purpose of the trip was to encourage growth and learning in the students’ artwork through highly concentrated experience, observation, and application.

“[We told the students,] ‘You will be expected to live the life of an artist abroad. You’re expected to be painting for most of the day,’” McGregor said. “In that regard, it was completely unlike anything else we do here.”

Fifty pieces were put on display on Friday, only representing roughly half of the total works the students shared at the end of the trip. Many of them were available for purchase to continue to support the potential future artists.

Despite being nervous of having her art displayed for the public, junior Bianca Pierre-Jacques, agreed to show her artwork from the trip.

“Usually once I get done with something, I like to put it off, away,” Pierre-Jacques said. “But I am really honored to have it there, it’s really exciting to share my experience, my little piece of Germany, with other people.”

The short trip produced a variety pieces from the students, reflecting their experiences and knowledge they learned in Leipzig.

“I hope [this trip] primes the pump of them seeing what’s possible in terms of having a work ethic,” McGregor said.