Fairmont State University students recently took center stage in a unique interdisciplinary celebration of original fiction and visual art, organized by Dr. Robert Powers, assistant professor of English. The event featured student-written stories from Dr. Powers’ fiction workshop course, alongside artwork inspired by those stories and created by students in Professor Joel Dugan’s special topics illustration course.
This collaborative showcase highlighted the creative talents of Fairmont State students and exemplified the power of cross-disciplinary partnerships on campus. Attendees — including fellow students, faculty and family members — had the opportunity to experience imaginative narratives brought to life through both words and visuals.
“With this showcase, I was over-the-moon proud of my fiction workshop students who had the opportunity to share with fellow students, family, and Fairmont faculty just a small sampling of the amazingly moving original stories they wrote during the spring semester,” Powers said. “With the upcoming launch of the Creative Writing Club in the fall to supplement the English department’s creative writing courses, I look forward to many more events like these, which are so important for our students to have their excellent work heard and properly celebrated.”
The event featured the work of the following student writers and artists:
“Lady of the Lake” by Alexis Johnson — English creative writing major, women and gender studies minor; Clarksburg, West Virginia (original artwork by Gracie Nardella — studio art major; Clarksburg, WV)
“A Cat’s Wishful Thinking” by Justina Woolford — English creative writing major, forensic investigative science minor; Philippi, West Virginia (original artwork by William Pickens — studio art major, creative writing minor; Fairmont, West Virginia)
A short excerpt of Walk Away by Tanner S. Gatto — English creative writing major, theatre arts minor; Hambleton, West Virginia
“The Garden” by Grayson Sekercak — English creative writing major, museum studies minor; Elkview, West Virginia (original artwork by Savannah Russell — biology major; Richwood, WV)
“Mr. Mouse Cleans House (or at least he tries to)” by William Pickens — studio art major, creative writing minor; Fairmont, West Virginia (original artwork by Kailey Reed — studio art major; Vienna, WV)
“Stories Told by Ghosts” by Vivian Roskos — studio art major, creative writing minor; Fairmont, West Virginia (original artwork by Elijah Wellings-Osha — studio art major; Morgantown, WV)
A short excerpt from Vacation by Madeline Mayers — studio art major, creative writing minor; Bridgeport, West Virginia
“Grief” by Elisha Dailey — English creative writing major, art minor; Morgantown, West Virginia
“The Weeping Woman” by Lillith Merrell — forensics major, chemistry minor; Hedgesville, West Virginia (original artwork by Sarah French — studio art major; Clarksburg, WV)
“Misery of Lies and Fools” by Seth Marcel Tichnell — graphic design major; Fairmont, West Virginia
“A Funeral” by Lyndy Van Horn — English creative writing major, psychology minor; Granville, Ohio (original artwork by Gabriella Reyna — studio art major, museum studies minor; Lost Creek, WV)
“Coffee for a Moth” by Colleen Matheny — English major, psychology minor; Farmington, West Virginia (original artwork by Chelsea Musgrove — studio art major; Fairmont, WV)
The collaboration between the English and studio art departments served as a testament to the creative synergy fostered at Fairmont State. The event not only celebrated artistic achievement but also set a high standard for future interdisciplinary initiatives aimed at nurturing and spotlighting student talent.
Fairmont State University continues to foster a vibrant academic and artistic community, where student creativity thrives through innovative and collaborative experiences such as this showcase.
