The history, the unique art styles, and positive feedback from the crowd made the Graphic Design Popup Exhibit on Jan. 26 at 6pm worth hosting by the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Proud.
Michelle Niebur, electronic access media librarian at Moffett Library, said, “It was really cool to see the unique styles of the artists, as well as being able to see the history of Wichita Falls unfold. I hope this helps bring people to the city as well as help them get involved in the community.”
Ann Arnold-Ogden, community marketing director of the Wichita Falls Chamber of Commerce, and Jeanette VanDonge, assistant director of Downtown Proud hosted the event. Morgan Page, visiting assistant professor of graphic design, said she appreciated the Chamber’s efforts, especially since it didn’t cost the university anything. According to Page, the school didn’t have to spend any money on the event because of their help in finding the location to host it at. She also said the only money put into the event was for the refreshments the students brought.
Page said, “They were a tremendous help in putting this together. Without them, this event wouldn’t have happened.”
The biggest highlight for the guests was seeing the history of Wichita Falls unfold. The art mainly consisted of made-up maps of Wichita Falls by the artists participating.
John Mathis, a parent of one of the participants, said, “I love history, so being able to see this in the eyes of the artists is very interesting.”
Another highlight for the crowd was being able to see the styles the artists used. Beth Schuman, a Wichita Falls citizen, said they helped show what today’s generation thinks of this city.
Schuman said, “This is more than anything I would imagine. I expected it to be pretty small, and it was, but the art made it feel so much bigger.”
While the participants did enjoy being able to show their opinions of the city, their favorite thing was being able to have freedom in what they created.
Taylor Colley, a graphic design junior, said, “I liked being able to be as creative as I wanted to be. I’m from Wichita Falls, and I have my own perspective on it so being able to show that was really fun for me.”
The creativity showed as some of the pieces weren’t maps of the city, but parts of things in the city put together. Aarman Pompey, a graphic design senior, made combination of all the popular food places in town, and titled it “Foodie.”
Pompey said, “It was very getting to show my creative side and make whatever I wanted.”
Some students didn’t even make a map of Wichita Falls, but of something more personal to them instead. Lauren Hamlin, a print making Junior, made a map of “Galveston Island.”
Hamlin said, “I really liked how the island looked, and I thought it would be really fun to paint it, and it was.”
While the majority of the event was good, there were a few minor negatives. One of them being the cold weather. Participants and guests agreed that the event might have been a little bit better if it hosted inside.
Pompey said, “I don’t wear any socks with my shoes so my feet are freezing. I definitely wish it was warmer, but it was still fun.”
Robert Aguon, a guest and high school student, said, “I don’t like it being outside. I can’t stand the cold.”
Even though it was cold, the event was still popular, and guests like Aguon said the great artwork outweighed the weather. Page said she hoped it would turn out well because she wants to try to do something like it again next year.
