Ringling College Illustration Students Plan to ‘Be Drawn to Art’ for Smithsonian American Art Museum

Arts & Culture

DAILY SRQ FRIDAY WEEKEND EDITION

FRIDAY AUGUST 13, 2021 |

Ten Ringling College of Art and Design The illustration students created a series of biographical sketches for the Smithsonian Museum of American Art (SAAM) based on the lives of ten female artists whose work is featured in the Museum’the collection. With missions aligned to inspire creativity and provide platforms for professional experience, the project was a collaboration between SAAM and Ringling College’s INDEX program. As winners of the INDEX competition, the ten students created short comic strips consisting of 12 to 16 images each to tell the story of each of the ten female artists, some of whom may not have received the attention they they deserved while they were alive.

The ten winning students were chosen from among 29 illustration students who entered the Ringling College INDEX competition. Each winning student received a $1,000 prize and the opportunity to gain professional experience working on Attracted by art: ten stories of inspiring women artists. The ten comic strips can be seen on americanart.si.edu/art/art-comics.

“This INDEX project with the Smithsonian American Art Museum has been a phenomenal career advancement opportunity for our students,” said Ringling College of Art and Design President Dr. Larry R. Thompson. “Working to tell the stories of these important women artists called upon the talent, creativity, and ability of our students to work collaboratively with faculty advisors and staff at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, providing professional experience valuable before graduation. We are very impressed and proud of their work.