Like the depths of our minds, art is difficult and complex at times, but can get even more difficult when you try and combine those two seemingly unrelated subjects together.
People like Violet Durden, a sophomore art education major from Memphis, Tennessee, do this with ease. Durden wishes to work with special needs children in foreign countries, using art therapy when she graduates from UTM.
Durden grew up surrounded by art in many forms as her mother was an art teacher and her father was a woodworker. She found herself submerged in the talent as early as first grade when she won her first art show.
Since then, Durden has gone on to Nicaragua, her first international mission trip, where she first discovered her love for art. There she learned that for her the easiest way to connect was through her art.
Durden has been in many art shows throughout her art career so far but the most recent was this years Guitar As Art Exhibit where she was awarded The Peoples Choice Award for her piece, Strummin’ on Sunshine.
The world always needs more art in any form and inspiring younger children to create artwork to help them overcome their challenges will result in a transformative generation. We are positive we will see more great things from Durden as she pursues her degree in art education.
(Durden’s award-winning work, Strummin’ on Sunshine, in this year’s Guitar as Art exhibit. Pacer Photo/Bre Rudolph)
