Student photography art show at Sterling College

DENNIS DUTTON
Sterling College

A fresh perspective on photography—and on the world itself—is taking shape this spring in the Sterling College Art & Design program, where students are presenting their work in the exhibition “In the Eye of the Beholder.”

Valerie Reynoso, a 2024 BFA graduate of Sterling College, is serving this semester as an instructor in art, teaching Photography. Her students’ work is now on display at the Sterling College Art Gallery through April 24, offering visitors a compelling look at how emerging photographers interpret the world around them.

Reynoso’s class includes 11 student artists, and the exhibit features 28 photographs selected by the students themselves. The images reflect a range of concepts explored throughout the semester, including depth, composition, portraiture, and more. Each photograph is accompanied by a student reflection, providing insight into both the artistic process and individual growth.

“You may have heard the common phrase, ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,’” Reynoso said. “This is a well-known idiom meaning that perception of beauty, art, or value is subjective and based on opinion. In this showcase, we want to take you within the eye of the beholder—as the students learn to see the world and present it through a different perspective.”

Students entered the course with varying levels of experience, from those comfortable with cameras to others new to professional equipment. Reynoso noted the progress she has witnessed in both technical skill and artistic confidence.

“These students have grown so much in just a few weeks,” she said. “Some had a little experience with a camera, and others had never picked up a professional camera before. I have loved seeing them grow as artists and seeing the creativity each of them bring to the table. They are truly grasping the artistic perspective of photography and learning to push themselves to new lengths.”

After building foundational skills during the first half of the semester, students selected the images that would represent their work in the show, creating an exhibition shaped by student voice and personal vision.

A public reception for the exhibition will be held Thursday, April 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the gallery. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the student artists, read their reflections, and enjoy light refreshments while exploring the collection.

The exhibition is open to the public weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the gallery, located at 306 West Washington in Sterling. Admission is free.

“In the Eye of the Beholder” invites viewers not only to observe photography, but to consider how perspective shapes meaning. Through lenses both new and experienced, these student artists demonstrate that creativity thrives when individuals are encouraged to see—and share—the world in their own unique way.