The Spring Hill Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College, 450 Beverly Court, harkens to the dawn of spring with a beautiful dual celebration of nature and the arts. “On April 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we’ll have an Earth Day event on campus,” said Amy Anderson, Provost, Spring Hill Campus. “On April 4 from noon to 7:30 p.m., we’ll have an art show.”
The nature-borne radiance of our surrounding environment can serve as the greatest form of artistic inspiration. With this in mind, PHSC plans a grand Earth Day celebration sure to both educate and inspire.
“For Earth Day, we will give out free succulents and plant new Florida native butterfly plants in the butterfly garden,” Anderson explained. “We’ll have Painting with the Provost, a casual painting activity that gives us all a chance to unwind, enjoy creating something, and chat. Local community partners, such as Florida Forest Service, Hernando County Mosquito Control, and Hernando Audubon will have tables with information.”
As they both express and educate themselves in this welcoming, free-of-charge forum, both PHSC students and the community at large will glean a greater appreciation of their environment—along with an intensified desire to protect and preserve their natural surroundings.
“I hope students and the community will learn about ways to help our natural environment,” Anderson said. “We all benefit when we work together to make our air, water, and surroundings cleaner and safer.”
Ebullient artworks of all varieties will be on display at the PHSC Student Art Show, scheduled from noon to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at Rao Musunuru, M.D., Conference Center, Spring Hill Campus. The art displayed will take the form of the lovely creations of PHSC art students, under the skilled guidance of instructor Julie Lovero. Admission is free.
“The pieces haven’t been selected yet so we don’t have an exact number. There will probably be about 50 pieces,” said Anderson. “The drawings will be graphite and charcoal, and possibly pastel and/or ink. Paintings will be acrylic and mixed media.”
This presentation will be very much a student-driven exhibit, as they embark on an artistic journey. “The students are selecting the pieces they would like to show. The theme is journeys,” said Anderson. “They are selecting based on their journeys – both artistic journeys and/or their journeys in life. The pieces will be approved by art instructor Julie Lovero-Fox.”
This will not be a judged and juried show. “The pieces will not be judged. We just love them all!” said Anderson, adding, “Some of the artists will be present at different times throughout the event.”
The PHSC Student Art Show has become a celebrated tradition at Pasco-Hernando State College. “This event has consistently provided ways for our students to share their talents with, and connect with, the campus and community,” said Anderson. “It gives students a way to safely express their thoughts and feelings. Drawing and painting in general foster creative thinking and problem solving that they can use in other classes, in their careers, and in life.”
