College of Fine Arts: Celebrations of Scholarship

Greetings and welcome to the Celebrations of Scholarship, an exciting moment where we come together to explore and engage with the diverse and dynamic world of the arts through the lenses of Process, Collaboration, and Product.

As artists, media makers, and arts managers, we are continuously pushing boundaries and reshaping the landscape of the creative industries. Through innovative cross-disciplinary initiatives, creative entrepreneurship, and technical advancements, we are moving the arts forward in ways that are both transformative and inspiring. The process of creation is more than just an end result; it is the heartbeat of our artistic practices and the foundation for everything that follows. In this celebration, we invite you to witness firsthand how these collaborations and innovations come to life.

What’s truly exciting about this event is that we are not only showcasing the final products but offering a window into the creative and research processes that drive them. Audiences have the unique opportunity to engage with the application of theory— understanding the analysis, research, and critically informed aesthetic judgment that fuel the works we create. This perspective shifts the conversation from simply appreciating a finished piece to truly valuing the journey, the exploration, and the intellectual labor behind the art.

The arts are shaping the vast and evolving landscape of creative industries, and this celebration highlights the central role artists play in influencing cultural narratives, technological advancements, and global discourse. As you explore the work of our talented students, faculty, and collaborators, we hope you will leave with a deeper appreciation for the intricate, multifaceted processes that bring creative visions to life.

Indeed, as you engage with the work on display today, you may come to realize that the process itself is as meaningful — if not more so — than the final product. It is through the act of creation and discovery that we, as a community, continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of art and culture.

Thank you for joining us in this celebration of artistic research and creation. We are honored to share this journey with you and look forward to the discussions, insights, and connections that will emerge throughout the day.

Cameron Jackson 
Dean, College of Fine Arts

2026 Celebrations of Scholarship Presentations Listed Below

  • Original Video Game

    SH327

    8-8:30 a.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Hailey Newill

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Eric Hector 

    Abstract/Description:

    This presentation explores the creation of an original video game concept demonstration through both interactive media and computer science. This project showcases character and environment design, animation systems, and overall game development that combine to create an immersive interactive experience. The project also emphasizes how visual storytelling and design both enhance and communicate a narrative through a video game medium.

     

    Content Creation: Scaling a YouTube Business

    SH327

    8:30-9:00 a.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Jacob Habel

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Eric Hector 

    Abstract/Description:

    This presentation revolves around scaling a global audience on YouTube. Building on an existing community, and as a YouTube Partner, the goal is prioritizing community growth through engaging content, and sustainability over the long-term. The presentation will include research data, traffic data, internal/external content creation operations, and revenue data. This presentation contains valuable information and experiences that I've never shared with anyone before. If you're thinking about becoming a content creator, or scaling a YouTube business, this is the keynote for you.

      

    Rhythm & Color

    SH327

    9-9:30 a.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Colby Wygal

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Eric Hector

    Abstract/Description:

    Rhythm & Color is a microcosm of diversity and unity in America. It's a musical project geared toward highlighting unique voices and bringing together artists from a variety of backgrounds, genres, and identities onto a single album. Each track offers a unique perspective on the state of our world, weaving a web of joy and despair during one of the most uncertain times in our nation's history. The album will be recorded in ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½'s Millitrax recording studios and produced, mixed, and mastered by project director and leading artist Colby Wygal.

     

    How to Create an Animated Feature If You Cannot Draw

    SH327

    9:30-10 a.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Natalie Hauge

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Eric Hector

    Abstract/Description:

    How to Create an Animated Feature If You Cannot Draw is a walkthrough of bringing an animated series pilot episode to life through a combination of editing CGI models, Blender animation, Adobe After Effects color editing, Photoshopping background art, and more. Other areas of exploration include scriptwriting, budgeting for production, and collaborations with online talent.

     

    Big Sky Beauty

    SH327

    10-10:30 a.m. 

    Presenter(s):

    Kayla Hanson

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Eric Hector 

    Abstract/Description:

    Big Sky Beauty is a nature and wildlife photography exhibition, taking viewers to the beautiful "Big Sky Country" of Montana-North Dakota and the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The exhibition hopes to give viewers a passion for protecting some of our nation's most beautiful places. This presentation outlines the processes leading up to this self-planned and self-promoted exhibition that has been almost a year in the making, giving insight to the creative process and passion behind it.

     

    The Development and Operations of American Independent Museums

    SH327

    10:30-11:15 a.m. 

    Presenter(s):

    Jessica Seitz

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Jessa Wilcoxen 

    Abstract/Description:

    Drawing from the experience of interning at the Museum of Post Punk and Industrial Music, extensive study of relevant texts, and interviews of other independent museums in the Chicago area, this presentation will cover the current movement of niche museums and their operational best practices.  

     

    Existential Art Therapy: Dream Dialogue

    SH327

    11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Liza Stone

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Dr. Jonathan Haag

    Abstract/Description:

    This presentation particularizes the Existential Art Therapy Dream Dialogue, a relatively new therapeutic process in which dreams are documented through art and reflected upon to determine preexisting concerns. Developed by Bruce Moon, Ph.D., the dream dialogue has been practiced universally across the discipline of art therapy.

  • Hidden Gems: Discovering Folk Dances of Turkey and Chile in Piano Music

    SH315

    11-11:30 a.m. 

    Presenter(s):

    Melis Barutcu, Lucas Finley

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Dr. Pei-I Wang 

    Abstract/Description:

    Composers of classical piano music often find inspiration in folk music and dance traditions. They seek to evoke the style of a particular region's folk traditions through their rhythmic, harmonic, and stylistic compositional choices. This project aims to research folkloric dance elements employed in piano compositions by Turkish and Chilean composers. The musical characteristics of Turkish dances Zeybek and Halay, the Chilean dance Cueca, and selected compositions will be examined. Knowing the background of these traditions can make music more approachable for listeners, offer a broader selection of repertoire for pianists, and help musicians produce more culturally informed performances.

     

    Vulnerable

    SH315

    11:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Audrey Soetermans

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Alexandra Manfredo

    Abstract/Description:

    I will be describing the behind the scenes process of writing, recording, mixing, mastering, and releasing my capstone EP Vulnerable. This EP discusses fear, and understanding the consequences and blessings that can come with opening up to other people about yourself. Furthermore, I will be doing a formal analysis of the art pieces I created for each song, since each piece creates an extra visual context. I will be describing the event planning that went into putting together the release party. I will be reflecting on the production processes, and how every piece contributes to this collective work.

  • Just Say It

    SH327

    1-1:30 p.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Cami Jones

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Elizabeth Creighton

    Abstract/Description:

    Exploring the range of body diversity in theatre.

     

    Moving Forward: A Study of Movement and Film

    SH327

    1:30-2 p.m. 

    Presenter(s):

    Presenter: Natalie Mase

    Dancers featured in film: Jocelyn Bettarelli, Amanda D'Lacoste, Jack Fokkens, Kalia Pagano, and McKenna Sharkey.

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Angela Miller

    Abstract/Description:

    This is a presentation discussing my discoveries about the process of adapting a dance piece from the stage to film. I will describe the challenges I faced and the greatest lessons I learned throughout the process, as well as how I might apply my findings to life after graduation.

      

    Injury Prevention in Dance

    SH327

    2-2:30 p.m. 

    Presenter(s):

    Grace Brixa

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Angela Miller

    Abstract/Description:

    This multiple semester study takes a deep dive into injury prevention dance protocol across several universities to then discuss ways in which ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½'s very own School of Theatre and Dance can adopt some of the researched techniques. Some students were also asked to engage in weekly pilates classes offered on campus to additionally track and discuss the importance and power of injury prevention in dance and for dancers.

     

    Syncopated Stages: The Evolution and Cultural Power of Jazz in American Musical Theatre

    SH327

    2:30-3 p.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Maddie Alger

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Kevin Long

    Abstract/Description:

    I will be presenting on the history of jazz in musical theatre and its impact on the musical theatre world and American society. My research begins in the 1920s and continues to present day. Composers I have researched and will be presenting on are Cy Coleman, Kander and Ebb, George Gershwin, Anais Mitchell, Jule Styne, and Jason Robert Brown. The bulk of the research is on what the jazz influence in their composing style is and what effect their shows of the time had on society/how society was reflected in these shows.

     

    Narrative Within Musical Theatre And Song Cycles: A Compositional Study

    SH327

    3-3:15 p.m.

    Presenter(s):

    Rachel Nott

    Faculty Sponsor(s):

    Kevin Long

    Abstract/Description:

    I will cover the journey of my honors capstone project, briefly explaining my research and the process of learning how to write and compose a song. I will discuss the differences and similarities between song cycles and traditional musicals. Then, I will show my sheet music and present the song I have written.