By Avary Randall, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — International artist Nathaniel Hendrickson has embarked on a new journey with Campbellsville University as the new artist-in-residence.
In July 2022, Hendrickson taught at the Governor's School of the Arts where he met Associate Professor of Art and Design Azucena Trejo Williams. She is a faculty member at Campbellsville University and was the first artist-in-residence at the university.
Trejo Williams encouraged Hendrickson to come to Campbellsville University and become the second artist-in-residence. He took her advice and was hired on Aug. 23, 2022.
As the artist-in-residence, Hendrickson teaches two in-person and three online Understanding Art classes.
As an artist-in-residence, Hendrickson said he was given a platform to work outside the institution but is also a faculty member on campus.
His project is collaborating with Clay Hill Memorial Forest to create a site commemorating the damage from the tornado Dec. 10, 2021.
Hendrickson also plans to have some workshops with the Clay Hill Memorial Forest, where students can practice their perception of the world around them while walking in the forest.
Hendrickson said, “The purpose is not to have a destination but to enjoy what is happening around them. The walk is slow and silent. It allows the senses to tune into the Earth and see its beauty.”
As a college professor, he has enjoyed meeting the students and understanding their perspectives as people. Creating relationships with students and sharing opportunities has been a highlight in this position.
Hendrickson said, “Some unexpected challenges have been learning the nuts and bolts of being a teacher for the first time.” He said finding chances to help students pass and how to program assignments is difficult at times, but Hendrickson said he is adjusting.
Hendrickson was born in Louisville, Ky., and he had a passion for art at an early age. His parents gave him a camera to pursue his hobbies, and from there, he flourished.
He studied at Bellarmine University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Painting and Photography/Digital Media (Studio Art) in 2012. He completed a Master of Fine Arts from Florida State University in 2018. Achieving a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is the highest degree an artist can complete.
After receiving his MFA, Hendrickson said people took him more seriously, and he was given more creative opportunities, such as a documentary filmmaker and a production coordinator.
His career as an artist has led him to work with multiple international countries and artists.
The Open Program of the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski (Italy/Turkey/Lebanon/USA), Hyunji Park (Korea/Finland), Gianluigi Biagini (Finland/Italy), Camielle Freychet (France/Belgium), and Meltem Chumbul (Turkey) was a collaboration project he worked on from 2019 to 2020.
The Open Program was a theater company that dissolved in early 2022.
Hendrickson said, “The goal was to bring people all over the world together and imagine a world without borders.” The projects were community-driven and brought people together by singing songs and understanding each other's cultures.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, master, bachelor, associate and certificate programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.