BROWNWOOD – April 17, 2018 – Howard Payne University’s Drew McNeill, from Brownwood, will present his senior art major exhibition through May 4 at the Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery, located in HPU’s Doakie Day Art Center.
In 1997, McNeill began his higher-education journey at Baylor University in Waco and returned to that same university in 2015. Following in the footsteps of his mother, Connie Drew McNeill – a 1978 HPU graduate, he transferred to HPU. After taking a single art class at HPU, McNeill decided that art was the path for him. He is on track to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in studio art.
“The work in this exhibition is a comprehensive visual journey toward the attainment of my Bachelor of Science degree in studio art,” said McNeill. “All of the art works were created from several studio art classes I have taken since spring 2016. There is decisive progression to the work done in numerous media or art forms. One art class builds into another with two- and three-dimensional visual explorations.”
David Harmon, chair of the Department of Art and professor of art, commented that McNeill has made many educational strides since transferring to HPU.
“His openness to learning and experimentation is a testament to the background and life skills that he utilized in his coursework in both art and other HPU courses,” said Harmon. “His current senior comprehensive exhibition demonstrates this commitment.”
McNeill said his growth and success as an artist can be attributed to his art professors, David Harmon, chair of the Department of Art and professor of art; Susan Harmon, adjunct faculty of art; and Julie Mize, adjunct faculty of art (photography).
“I appreciate the opportunity to exhibit my work in this public venue,” said McNeill. “Without the guidance of the art faculty, I would not have grown as an artist as quickly as I did. I am grateful to HPU for providing me this opportunity to return to school and complete my education as a non-traditional student. It is truly a place where students can find themselves and explore the possibilities that higher education can provide.”
The Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery, located in HPU’s Doakie Day Art Center, is open on Mondays, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The gallery is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
For more information, contact David Harmon at 325-649-8088 or dharmon@hputx.edu.
Applications are still being accepted for the fall 2018 semester at Howard Payne University (www.hputx.edu/apply). HPU offers a variety of financial aid options. For more information about HPU, contact HPU’s Office of Admission at 325-649-8020 or by e-mail at enroll@hputx.edu.
###
Cutline: 1. Artwork by HPU student, Drew McNeill of Brownwood, is on display through May 4 in the Dorothy and Wendell Mayes Art Gallery in the Doakie Art Center on the HPU campus.
2. Drew McNeill’s artwork on display includes a wide range of media and subject matter.