About — Kay Reyburn

ABOUT

Hello there!
I’m Kay, a current student at Messiah University pursuing a B.A. in Studio Art with a concentration
in 2-dimensional studies and double minoring in Music and Business Administration. In these areas, I am passionate about painting, drawing, sewing, set/costume design, and singing. Through my
college classes I have also gained strong interests in ceramics, graphic design, and marketing, and
have dabbled in woodworking, stone carving, welding, and making artist’s books. In terms of subject matter, I like to focus on portraits and figures, architecture, and the world around me.

I love combining things in my artwork, whether that be various mediums or processes, combining
the ideas of art and craft, or incorporating my interests in other subjects into my artwork. I am a
hard-working, detail-oriented, and organized person, which translates to high-quality work and
my reliability in terms of meeting deadlines, sticking to schedules, and communicating well. Overall I just love to make things and express myself creatively, and ultimately want to use my skills and interests to make a positive impact on the world around me.

Artist’s Statement The arts have a transformative power, both in the making and in the experiencing. I believe that “good art” says something, with that “something” being about anything from process or material to society or history and beyond. Art can act as an escape from the cares of the world by allowing viewers a moment to simply focus on beauty, or by providing a story with which to distract one’s thoughts. Alternatively, art can bring attention to the cares of the world by offering different viewpoints, calling to attention things that may otherwise go unnoticed, and calling for change. Through my art I hope to accomplish some of these objectives by making viewers think, or by simply having them reflect on beauty and intricacy in the world.

My artwork usually starts in the sketchbook and develops from there through many hours of work with various materials. My process and resulting work is characterized by diligence, color, faithfulness, precision, and perseverance. I am inspired by the work of artists such as John Singer Sargeant, Bisa Butler, Cathy Prescott, and Kateryna Bilokur. I make art because this is where my passions and gifts lie, but also in reflection of my Creator. Making art of the world around me helps me to appreciate the beauty and meticulous design of God’s creation.

Education
Bachelor of Arts, Studio Art - Messiah University - Class of 2026
• 2-Dimensional concentration
• Studio courses: Color & Composition; Drawing I; Form, Space, & Media;
Digital Imaging, Painting I, Figure Drawing, Carving & Construction,
Clay: Wheel-Thrown Forms, Typography, Intaglio Printmaking,
Graphic Design & Professional PracticeExhibitions & Awards
Fall 2024 - 2 drawings featured in student-published magazine, Yellow
Summer 2024 - Messiah University - 4 pieces accepted into Juried Student Exhibition
Summer 2023 - Messiah University Glass Gallery - Form, Space, & Media class exhibition
Summer 2022 - Oxford Arts Alliance - solo exhibition in Emerging Artist’s Gallery Art Scholarship Recipient