A photography project by graphic design students at Newman University will be featured at the Final Friday exhibition from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 at the Inter-Faith Ministries C.A.F.E. Gallery, 829 N. Market in Wichita. The exhibit will remain at the gallery through March 17.
The exhibit, “Life’s Unwritten Pages” is a collaborative venture between the Newman University Art Department and Inter-Faith Ministries, which often works with different faith groups, congregations and other organizations to create monthly exhibitions. Newman Assistant Professor of Art and Graphic DesignPamela Pancake worked with Volunteer C.A.F.E. Gallery Director Earlene Condiff and Inter-Faith employees Kathleen Webb and Paula Branizor on the exhibit of photographs, which were created around the theme of the “bucket lists” or “have-yet-to-dos” of spiritual leaders of all faiths in Wichita.
(See photos, below.)
Pancake said the Newman graphic design students first paired up for the project and brainstormed ideas around the “Life’s Unwritten Pages” theme, which was created by Newman student Brittany Loomis. Students then worked with Newman junior student Gloria Esparza, who designed a layout template to create the images.
“Earlene (Condiff) and her team chose Esparza’s design – simple, ghosted black and white images on a white field, with lists beside each person,” Pancake said.
Students then coordinated photo shoots of 20 spiritual leaders from the Wichita area. Each photograph was then placed in the layout template with individual lists of the portrait subjects.
“The subjects’ lists are comprised of the normal ‘to-dos,’ with a component of spiritual things yet to do as the main focus,” Pancake said. “The goal is for attendees of the exhibit to dig deep to discover their spiritual gifts and how each can give of self to the larger Wichita community.”
Newman students who participated in the project are Esparza, template designer, Loomis, coordinator and assistant to the portrait subjects, Brittany English, photographer, and Joshua Prilliman, coordinator and assistant to the portrait subjects. Newman Photography Instructor Brad Ruder worked with the students to oversee the photography portion of the project.
The works will be hung in the Inter-Faith C.A.F.E. Gallery on Saturday, Feb. 28. Students will be on-hand at the gallery that evening to engage with the portrait subjects, meet family members and represent Newman University and its mission to serve.
