Feb. 17, 2017
For Immediate Release

By Green Okparaoko, student news writer, Office of University Communications

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — Campbellsville University will feature works by Benjamin Robert Joseph Goana of Campbellsville from Feb. 27 through March 3 at The Pence-Chowning Art Gallery, 205 University Drive, Campbellsville, Ky.

Gaona, in his senior exhibit, will show art pertaining to graphic design, drawing, oil painting, sculpture and animation.

Gaona said the work displayed in his exhibition showcases his love of the arts. “I strive to learn and explore all aspects of the arts in order to evole as a creative thinker and artist,” he said.

“Each discipline requires hours of dedication and devotion,” Gaona said. “Hundreds of hours have gone into the creation of all the work in my senior exhibition. Research and development, mood boards, preliminary drawings, rough sketches; these are the strings that tie so many of these works together,” he said.

A reception will be in Gaona's honor at the gallery Sunday, Feb. 26 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. The public is invited to the reception and exhibit.

Gaona will graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with concentration in graphic design. He is a graduate of Washington County High School in Springfield, Ky.

“I am passionate about my work in the arts and have had many artistic influences by many in the entertainment industry.

“Walt Disney and the company he created had a tremendous impact on my life. I work to better myself in the work I do and ‘plus it' as Disney would tell his animators.”

Gaona said drawing is his strongest suit of the disciplines he practices. “Drawing is the genesis of all the work on exhibit. I find that I work best when I draw spontaneously. I'm not drawing too hard or the inspiration is restricted and difficult to cultivate.

“The sculpture grouping came from a thought I had wondering what it would look like for a humanoid figure to emerge from a prison of thick liquid matter. From this thought I had drawn a fast sketch that was later developed into a series of sculptures.”

Gaona said, “I love working loosely while to get the big picture and then work back in to create a clear image much like animator Frank Thomas.

“I endeavor to always be creative and think abstractly in order to evolve and learn as an artist. Everything I do in my work is to glorify God and His kingdom.”

Ganoa won Best of Show in the 2015 Annual Juried Student Art Show at Campbellsville University.

Gaona's passions are drawing and graphic design which integrates illusion in its process allowing him to explore his desire to draw. He works best when he draws spontaneously. “I'm not trying too hard or the inspiration is restricted and difficult to cultivate,” Gaona said.

Gaona as an artist is more passionate about drawing than all other disciplines of art. He works loosely to get the big picture and then works back in to create a clear image. He tries to be creative and think abstractly, and this lets him evolve, discover and learn as an artist. “Everything I do in my work is to glorify God and his kingdom,” Gaona said.

The exhibit collection is a result his creative experience he has gained during his time at Campbellsville University working in the Department of Art and Design. “The experience here has shaped my creative mindset and style,” Gaona said.

The gallery is open during the following hours: Mondays, 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and noon until 5:50 p.m.; Tuesdays, 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and noon until 4 p.m.; Wednesdays, 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.; Thursdays, 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. and noon until 5:30 p.m. and Fridays, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For more information on the art gallery, contact Davie Reneau, associate professor of art, at dreneau@campbellsville.edu or (270) 789-5407.

For more information on the Department of Art and Design at Campbellsville University, contact Linda J. Cundiff, chair of the department and professor of art, at ljcundiff@campbellsville.edu or (270) 789-5268.

Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 4,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 19 master's degrees, six postgraduate areas and seven pre-professional programs. The university has off-campus centers in Louisville, Harrodsburg, Somerset and Hodgenville with instructional sites in Elizabethtown, Owensboro and Summersville and a full complement of online programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.