St. Olaf announces 2024–25 Emerging Artists
The St. Olaf College Emerging Artists for the 2024-25 academic year are Vazgen Ananyan ’24, Emily Domres ’24, Fiko Insel ’24, Andrew Mazariegos-Ovalle ’24, and Luca Trujillo ’24.
The Emerging Artist Program allows St. Olaf graduates to embark on a fifth-year apprenticeship with the mentorship and support of the Art Department and its faculty and staff. The Oles selected for the program serve as artists in residence, and they receive a stipend for art materials. Throughout the year, they create and exhibit their own artwork and make positive contributions to the community of art students, faculty, and staff.
The Emerging Artist Program was started in 1982 under the leadership of St. Olaf Professor Emeritus of Art Arch Leean. Originally called “The Apprenticeship Program,” it has supported approximately 160 studio art graduates in its 40-year history. This unique program is supported by the Leean Carpenter Endowment, which was started with generous gifts from Julie and Steve Carpenter ’82, emeritus faculty Wendell Arneson and Beth Christensen, and additional support from many other friends of the program.
Last year’s Emerging Artists — Sophia Davies ’23, Tamrat Hathaway ’23, Sam Mendez ’23, and Seneca Norvell ’23 — earned the opportunity to take part in four exhibitions throughout the year. One, titled Work in Progress, was on campus, and another was at the Northfield Arts Guild. The final two were held at Medical Alley and Q.Arma Gallery in Minneapolis.
This year’s Emerging Artists will showcase their talent in a similar slate of three exhibitions:
- Work in Progress Show open now through November 26 in the Center for Art and Dance Groot Gallery
- Carleton College and St. Olaf College Emerging Artist Showcase open January 7–February 7 at the Northfield Arts Guild
- Emerging Artists Show open May 3-10 at the Q.Arma Gallery in Minneapolis
Each of this year’s Emerging Artists have unique yet fascinating visions for their work this year. Read more about their work below.
Vazgen Ananyan ’24 aims to expand his artistic practices by exploring more in the mediums that are already familiar to him, such as painting or ceramics and digital media.
“My inspiration comes from various aspects of my identity, and I am curious about integrating these different elements into my work,” he says.
Ananyan, a United World Colleges Davis Scholar, is looking forward to having the platform and support to further pursue an artistic career.
“Art class assignments have provided me with valuable time and space to explore my interests, but I often wished for more opportunities and time to develop my ideas,” explains Ananyan. “This program will challenge me to grow both as an individual and as an artist, offering the space and resources to realize my ideas and continue working toward them.”
Emily Domres ’24 seeks to create a series of paintings exploring nostalgia, femininity and gender expression, relationships, and memory. “I also hope to build my skills in ceramics!” she adds.
Domres, who majored in art and art history during her undergraduate years at St. Olaf, is also looking forward to serving in a mentorship role for her peers.
“I am most looking forward to mentoring the senior art majors while they develop their final projects and hosting Art and Art History Department events!” she says.
Fiko Insel ’24 plans to keep his focus on traditional methods of animation. One goal he has is to create an animation piece using only pencil and paper like a flipbook.
“I have been interested in animation, especially hand-drawn 2D animation, because of its authentic qualities like smears,” Insel says.
“I feel lucky to be on campus one more year as an EA, as I get to use the studio spaces I am familiar with while creating artwork with almost no constraints,” says Insel, who is also a UWC Davis Scholar.
Insel is excited to build relationships with artists and other staff, faculty, and students.
“I believe that it will contribute to my output as an artist and a community member!” he says.
Andrew Mazariegos-Ovalle ’24 plans to work mainly with photography, sculpture, performance, and printmaking. He currently has two project proposals in mind.
His first project proposal is to create piñatas on important nature icons in Spanish-speaking countries, such as the Guatemalan quetzal bird.
“Inspired by my Guatemalan background, we honor these icons in forms that are meant to be preserved,” says Mazariegos-Ovalle. “I view piñata-making as an interesting form of art since they are intended to be destroyed. I look forward to seeing how that intention can transform when put in a gallery space.”
His second project proposal is to do something with luchadores. Inspired by his brothers and admiration of Rey Mysterio, Mazariegos-Ovalle hopes to disrupt the stillness of galleries with the showmanship of luchador fighters.
Mazariegos-Ovalle looks forward to making the most out of the program. Throughout the year, he will reach out to communities both inside and outside of Northfield to build community. “Additionally, I will find time for open studio hours so that students can visit and ask questions,” he says. “I am excited to see the ever-growing art community at St. Olaf, as it continues to expand in ways that impress me!”
Luca Trujillo ‘24 is planning to make a large-scale soft sculpture figure out of textiles during their Emerging Artist year. Trujillo will also incorporate some paper-mache and video projection elements into their work.
“For this project I’m considering themes of self-understanding and healing with a focus on the body,” Trujillo says. “I’m inspired by vibrant colors and patterns, as well as themes of human relationship and emotion.”
Trujillo also hopes to do a series of oil paintings exploring these interests, and is excited to work in the studio with the other emerging artists. “Some art forms that inspire me are puppetry, mask art, and experimental filmmaking,” Trujillo says. “I’m looking forward to the exhibitions and gaining more experience in installing and presenting my art.”