SENIOR THESIS STATEMENT

“THORN” was created on the basics of empowering women. We want to create a bold statement and send a strong message to women around the world. We want them to know that their voices are heard, and we are creating a brand that people will pay attention to. Our focus in creating a name for our brand was to strike back at the world and reclaim being a thorn on the rose. It’s to say that all women are roses but we also all have thorns, and we are tired of being shamed for them and we are now using them to our advantage. We are putting an end to the “Pink Tax” and giving you luxury style hair products at a price you can afford because every woman should be proud of their hair.

BIO

Madisyn Cummins was raised in Madison, Mississippi, and attended Delta State University. She had enrolled in college to study digital media arts, but fell in love with graphic design her sophomore year when she took a required graphic design course. She is particularly interested in branding and in helping clients turn a vision of a brand into a reality.

SENIOR THESIS STATEMENT

Gender dysphoria is the discomfort, disconnect, or distress that people experience when their gender conflicts with the sex assigned at birth or sex-related physical characteristics. As a transgender person, this is something I have personally experienced. I would not define gender dysphoria as simply thinking that you do not look attractive, but rather having a deep, persistent feeling that something is not how it should be. This feeling is often accompanied by the knowledge that you are not truly being seen by others. I think it’s important not only to see your external self aligned with your internal self, but also to feel like other people are seeing the same thing. Some transgender people have coined the word “gender euphoria” to name the unique feelings of validation and joy that come from an alignment of one’s identity with one’s physical attributes and gender presentation. The goal of the term is to bring attention to the highs of being transgender rather than defining it solely by its lows.

While I do believe in the usefulness of gender euphoria as a concept, the hardships of being transgender are still undeniable. Making portraits of people is not going to resolve the systemic issues that transgender people face, but I believe someone seeing art of theirself that reflects their truth can have a profound effect on them. Referencing mood boards that I have had a selection of my transgender friends create, I aim to inspire feelings of gender euphoria in them through customized portraits and the experience of seeing oneself authentically represented.

Gender Euphoria Collection, Max He/They, Acrylic, 24 x 18 x 2 in

Gender Euphoria Collection, Aubrey She/Her, Acrylic, 24 x 18 x 2 in

Gender Euphoria Collection, Audria They/She, Acrylic, 24 x 18 x 2 in

Gender Euphoria Collection, Mace He/They, Acrylic, 24 x 18 x 2 in

BIO

Silas Julian is a non-binary artist from the Mississippi Delta. They currently live in Cleveland, MS where they are pursuing their BFA in painting at Delta State University. They are expected to graduate in spring 2021. They have had aspirations for a career in art since they were a child. Their experiences of being an out transgender bisexual in the Deep South has been a central influence in the subject matter of their work and their career goals. Their interests include portraiture, smooth abstracted forms, heavily textured nonrepresentational art, collage, and continuous line art. They have been featured in Delta State University’s Annual Juried Student Exhibition four times where they have received multiple awards. They began their online shop where they sell their art in 2014 and as of 2021 have made over 400 sales. In 2018, they became an artist-in-residence at the Delta Arts Alliance where they have taught various art classes, planned activities, and lead workshops for children in the area. One of their self-portraits will be published in the upcoming second edition of Trans Bodies, Trans Selves (June 2021).

SENIOR THESIS STATEMENT

My sustained exploration of the body, as a whole and in parts, looks closely at self-proclaimed eyesores, those areas that we hide from others because we perceive them to be grotesque, embarrassing, or at the least imperfect such as stretch marks, dimpled thighs, love handles, or protruding ribs. Using a diversity of both males and females of different body types and ethnicities, I created abstract composites that are meant to evoke a strong emotional response whether that be anger or compassion.

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 111215, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 512, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 1245, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 113, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 9311, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 16613, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 71410, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 6914, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

Beauty in Unexpected Places, Abstraction 1011, silver gelatin print, 8 x 10”

BIO

Abigail Killian was born in Houston, Texas and now lives in Tyler, Texas. She works predominantly in photography and focuses on different methods and techniques of creating images. She does this through digital and darkroom prints. She has participated in juried student exhibitions all throughout the South. Abigail received her Associates of Arts from Tyler Junior College in 2019. She expects to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a focus in photography from Delta State University in the spring of 2021.

Because I chose to use such an abstract approach to these images, I emphasized the lines, curves, textures, and forms of the human figures. The internal structure of these abstractions is hugely important for not only the artist but the viewer to have a better understanding of the work.

SENIOR THESIS STATEMENT

Everyone has heard the saying “starving artist”.  This saying is very true because it is hard for an artists to make a living from their artwork alone. I wanted to make it a little easier for artists to have access to affordable, good quality art supplies.  So, I created the art supply store Baroque.

            Baroque can simply be described as a thrift art supply store. With the starving artist in mind, I wanted to create a store where artists can donate their unused or lightly used art supplies that are in good condition for other artists to purchase.  Baroque offers a wide array of art supplies for almost every type of medium and accepts all supplies that are donated. When the supplies are donated, our skilled artisans examine the condition of the supplies to determine if they can be repackaged and sold in the store. For smaller supplies like paint brushes, Baroque offers a bundle deal where customers can pick what they need from a display of brushes in all different shapes and sizes for a reasonable price.

 “Don’t go broke, shop at Baroque”

BIO

Ben Martin is from Corinth, Mississippi located in the northeast corner on Mississippi.  He has had a deep appreciation for art since he was a child.  He earned an Associates of Art degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College and a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in photography from Delta State University. He participated in the juried student exhibitions at NMCC and DSU and received several awards for his work.

SENIOR THESIS STATEMENT

I want to bring people my vision of otherworldly characters, creatures, and the environments they occupy through animation. I not only want to give the viewer a glimpse of these worlds, but fully immerse them into the lives of my creations through fluid movements and believable body language.

I want the worlds I create to allow my audience to temporarily leave behind the things that worry them in their everyday life and escape into a world of fantasy. I want my art to not only spark the viewer’s interest, but to take them on a journey. I am heavily influenced by all the animated movies and video games from my childhood. They were therapeutic for me as a kid and by enjoying them with others, they have allowed me to make strong connections with individuals from different parts of the world that I would have never met otherwise. This is what inspires me to go animate, so that I may pass these experiences on to future generations.

BIO

Jonathan Pannell is a digital media artist based in Mississippi. He was born in Tupelo, MS, and has moved around his home state for most of his life. He has enjoyed experimenting with many different mediums, but his focus is primarily in digital media, being fluent in programs such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Blender, and Maya. Jonathan draws much of his inspiration from fiction and creates illustrations and short animations that focus on creatures from fantasy, sci-fi, and stories from mythology.  He has received an Associates in Art from Northeast Mississippi Community College and is currently working on his BFA at Delta State University with a focus in animation. Jonathan has participated in multiple juried student shows at both colleges and has received several awards.

SENIOR THESIS STATEMENT

The goal of Jack and Jill Café is to create an environment that is both whimsical and tranquil. It should provide an inspiring setting for artists or writers and yet peaceful for the readers or people-watchers. The café will be open 24 hours a day to provide even the night owls a safe place to spend time.

The Jack and Jill Café wants to create an environment that resembles an old bookstore or library. It will offer study rooms for groups or individuals to grab a cup of coffee and hit the books.  The aim is to be a place that people of any background can feel safe and inspired.

The inspiration behind Jack and Jill is fairytale stories that we all grew up reading. The café strives to create those same atmospheres that we loved and enjoyed as children. The stories make us dream of grand adventures, create personal worlds, or escape to a safer place.

Menu for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Take Out Menu for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Billboard for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Billboard for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Advertisements for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Advertisements for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Advertisements for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Bookmark for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Instagram for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Products for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Business Suite for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Wax Seal for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

T-Shirts for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

T-Shirt for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Website for Jack & Jill Café, 2021

Instagram – @jackandjill.cafe

Website – https://daceyjades.wixsite.com/jackandjillcafe

Branding Guide – https://issuu.com/daceyjades/docs/daceyjadesivils_jackandjillcafe_brandingguide

BIO

Dacey Jade Sivils is a graphic designer from Bude, MS. She received her Associate in Arts Degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in May 2019. She then studied graphic design at Delta State University. She also served as president for the Delta State Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success and vice president of the DSU Tea Club. Sivil’s goal is to work as a graphic designer and plans to return to school to work towards her master’s degree in the future.

THESIS STATEMENT

My work focuses on plights faced by the African American community. As an African American woman who grew up in the South, I have first-hand experience of issues created by systemic oppression. I want to convey how deeply these issues affect each individual in our community so that the viewer may understand them better. In this series, I highlight how the medical sciences have taken advantage of African American men and women throughout history because of their position in society. Instead of focusing on profitable medical accomplishments, the concern is with those who have suffered – often without consent – at the hands of the medical profession. The men and women have become a means to an end and are soon forgotten about.

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Smallpox, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Autonomy, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Cadaver, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Craniometry, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Eugenics I, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Eugenics II, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Covid-19, Oil on Canvas, 36 x 24 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Smallpox, Photograph, 10 x 8 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Autonomy, Photograph, 10 x 8 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Opioids, Photograph, 8 x 10 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Craniometry I, Photograph, 10 x 8 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Craniometry II, Photograph, 8 x 10 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Tuskegee Syphilis Study, Photograph, 8 x 10 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Eugenics I, Photograph, 8 x 10 in

Science, Medicine, and the African American Community, Eugenics II, Photograph, 8 x 10 in

BIO

Tardysha Wilder is a painter from Cleveland, MS who currently attends Delta State University. She creates art that focuses on the problems faced by the African American community such as police brutality and the separation of families. She creates portraits in vibrant colors that encompass the history of the community.  Her work has been in several group exhibitions in Fielding Wright Art Gallery at Delta State University. She has received a number of awards and scholarships from Delta State University for her academic and artistic accomplishments. She has done a number of commissions for small businesses around Mississippi.