“Haven,” a new art exhibition created by Rachel Soo, professor of graphic design, debuted in the John and Linda Friend Art Gallery on Jan., 16. The exhibit is located inside Grimm Hall, and will be displayed until Jan., 28. 

Soo created her artwork using both traditional and digital art techniques, highlighting the complexity of Soo’s talents. Drawing, painting, sketching and illustration were the traditional methods used, portraying Soo’s individual style. Adding these talents to her digital techniques, including typography, photography, and digital software, highlighted her expertise and talent in combining these varying styles.

Soo saw her time on sabbatical as a gift allowing time for a deeper pursuit in her creative endeavors. “As an artist and designer, the act of making is integral to my emotional and mental health. Showing up to create artwork every day is critical to maintaining a sense of workflow,” Soo said, adding, “Making art is a meditative exercise that helps me unwind and uncover a sense of respite, in times when I may feel self-doubt or uninspired.” 

“Haven” made an impact on Soo as an artist; however, she hopes her work will also inspire her students. “The creation of the work for this exhibit fueled my creativity. It recharged my sense of play and experimentation and translated to new directions within my work. By sharing this creative process with my students, I hope to encourage them to do the same in their artwork and future vocations'' she said. 

A supporter of Soo and her work is Dr. Bret Taylor, Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. In response to viewing “Haven,” Taylor said, “I loved to see the interaction of visual art and graphic design come together.  The process she shared about how she created her final works from brainstorming techniques, to photography, painting and combining through technology was a fascinating display of ingenuity, self-reflection and talent.”

Soo is an integral part of the graphic design program and expressed gratitude for her position as a professor at CUI.  Soo said, “I feel blessed to be teaching at Concordia. Every day, I get to share my passion for art and graphic design with students and the community. Soo added, “Working one-on-one with the students in my classes is so rewarding.”

Taylor called Soo “a gifted and dedicated artist, instructor and colleague.” ”She is very humble about her talents and her teaching but is respected and admired by her students and fellow faculty,” he said. 

Along with her display on campus, Soo plans to submit her artwork outside of Concordia to other juried competitions and publication opportunities. You can visit the exhibit at the John and Linda Friend Gallery inside Grimm Hall until Fri, Jan., 28.  

Tags: Exhibits

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About Adyson Casteel

Adyson Casteel is a senior undergraduate student at Concordia University Irvine, studying Mass Communications. Adyson works as the Campus Editor for the university’s student-led newspaper, the Concordia Courier. Adyson is from Minden, NV, about 20 minutes from South Lake Tahoe, where she has the unique pleasure of both living on a ranch and spending time on the lake. 

In Adyson’s current role as Campus Editor, she writes her own articles for each edition, and oversees other campus articles from her peers. Adyson investigates the latest happenings on campus and student life, and turns them into newsworthy articles for Concordia community to enjoy. She conducts interviews from various campus sources, strengthening her articles with credibility and connecting her to many diverse individuals in the community. 

Adyson believes that everyone should step out of their comfort zone, and go the extra mile to grow in whatever you love to do. She strives to gain experience from many different fields within communications and marketing, including her work experience at Weidinger Public Relations, the firm that puts on the largest media-covered event in Tahoe; the American Century Championship Celebrity Golf Tournament.   

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