Shepherd University Assistant Professor of Art Ally Christmas takes in a piece of work in “The Art of Surviving” capstone exhibit in the Byrd Center on Friday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — This past weekend, a number of art exhibits could be found on display throughout town, as Shepherd University art students worked toward completing their graduation requirements, by displaying curated collections of their work.

Many more capstone projects will be on display this weekend, according to Lecturer of Art Evan Boggess, who teaches the capstone class. A full list of exhibits can be found on Shepherd University’s calendar, located at https://www.shepherd.edu/calendar.

For some students, these capstone projects have been inspired by their previous work. Painting major Scout Purdy said her exhibit, “How Do You Feel?” was inspired by an oil and acrylic painting she created in 2023, entitled “Sour!” The painting focused on the twisted expressions on her face, while eating some sour food.

“I am a very emotional person, so a lot of the time I have been asked questions like, ‘How are you feeling?’ or ‘Are you okay?'” Purdy said, as she manned her exhibit in Evolve on Saturday afternoon. “It felt right to call my body of work that, especially since it’s dealing with a lot of emotions and different feelings and expressions.”

Purdy said that, along with sharing paintings depicting her own emotions, she wanted to encourage those viewing her exhibit to share the emotions they were feeling, by taking a photograph of themselves with Purdy’s Polaroid camera and attaching it to a display wall.

Shepherd University painting major Scout Purdy stands by one of her paintings in her capstone exhibit at Evolve on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

“Most of the people who have come in have added their own faces to the wall, kind of like an interactive experience. It’s been really fun, seeing them make their own faces and figure out how they’re feeling,” Purdy said. “I spent a lot of time in self-reflection, while creating these paintings, so I hope people will take away some of that, as well as some humor! I’ve had some people come in and say, ‘These are ugly, but in a good way!’ And it’s true — they were ugly faces to make.”

For photography major Emma Williams, the inspiration for her exhibit, “The Art of Surviving,” came from Shepherd University’s 2023-2024 Common Reading selection, “No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know About Domestic Violence Can Kill Us” by Rachel Louise Snyder. Quotes were taken from that book, as well as Chanel Miller’s book, “Know My Name,” to print over various images captured by Williams.

“It’s important to know that the people photographed are stand-ins for actual survivors for physical violence and sexual assault,” Williams said, noting she had first approached some survivors at the Eastern Panhandle Empowerment Center (EPEC), before choosing to photograph stand-ins. “Actual survivors deserve more than a modicum of privacy after enduring traumatic events that upend their lives. Because this is not a documentary, this art display is a cross section of models from different lifestyles with actual victim statements to help us understand that abuse happens to anyone. No one is exempt.”

On Friday afternoon, “The Art of Surviving” opened in the foyer of the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education, in conjunction with a screening in the Byrd Center auditorium of “In the Bedroom,” which deals with subject matter similar to that in Williams’ exhibit. The film, which was screened by the Shepherdstown Film Society, was followed with a discussion led by EPEC Executive Director Katie Spriggs.

“It’s a subject that makes people uncomfortable. But the statistics show that one in four women and one in seven men are victims of domestic violence or sexual assault! Think of how many people you pass by in the grocery store, and how many of them have experienced this,” Williams, who is also getting a master’s degree in teaching, said. “I wanted to do something that would involve other people and would help with a cause. It is my hope this exhibit will bring us a bit closer together.”

Shepherd University photography major Emma Williams chats with one of her photography teachers, Michael Mendez, in the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education on Friday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

For those needing support, confidential advocates can answer anonymous questions at the National Domestic Violence Hotline, by texting 88788 or calling 800-799-7233 at any time.