Senior Grey Eckert took a few moments to introduce herself and reflect on her time as an undergraduate in CCU’s Edwards College.
Edwards College (EC): Hello Grey! Can you tell us a little about yourself?
GE: I’m a fifth-year senior with two majors, Studio Art and Graphic Design, and two minors, Photography and Art History. I currently live in my parent’s hometown, Myrtle Beach, S.C., but often visit my own: Durham, N.C.
EC: What are your future plans?
GE: In the fall, after graduating from CCU, I’ll head straight to graduate school at the University of South Carolina, where I’ll pursue an MFA in Photography and a MA in Graphic Design.
EC: What is a favorite memory from your time at CCU?
GE: One of my favorite memories at CCU is from my very first photography class, which, at the time, I didn’t know was a photography class. One of my former minors — Studio Art — required that students take an introductory photography class. My advisor realized I hadn’t registered for the course and signed me up for the class, which she called “Intro to Black and White.” I knew nothing about art, at the time; I figured that “black and white” referred to some sort of drawing principle. Besides that, I knew and really liked the professor, Tracy [Fish], so I was chill with it.
Anyways, when I walked in on the first day, Tracy wasn’t at the front of the room — my current photography professor, Jeff [Rich], was — and after he introduced himself, he handed out cameras. Only then did it dawn on me. “Oh… this is a PHOTOGRAPHY class!” I’d never held an analogue camera in my life, so I was really caught off guard. Fast-forward three years? I’m going to graduate school in the fall to get my MFA in Photography.
EC: What is an important lesson you learned while at CCU?
Probably the most important artistic lesson I learned at CCU is the value of trying out different media. The visual art program really forces its freshmen to jump around a bit, in terms of artistic process — you’ve got to take 2D and 3D courses. Within those constraints, there are a ton of materials you can play with.
When I came into the program, I exclusively drew and painted, and thought I’d continue to do so. Now? I’ve found other interests, ones that suit me a lot better. Because of that, I haven’t picked up a paint brush in at least a year, and I couldn’t be happier about it. If I hadn’t tried something new, however, I’d still be covered in oil paint, which smells gross.
Learn more about CCU’s Department of Visual Arts here.
