Kristina Fitzgerald is passionate about art, but started out as a biology major.
“My interest in art started at a very young age,” Fitzgereld said. “The women in my family are all pretty artsy and I think I definitely inherited that trait.”
Fitzgerald often could be found drawing pictures for friends and crafting, she said. She was named 2014’s Efroymson Bridge Year Fellow.
The Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries is presenting “Unmasked: Revealing Science Through Art,” featuring Fitzgerald’s work. Fitzgereld will be displaying a series of 12 posters and two books.
“There is a theme of science in my show because of my love for the subject and my wish to create something purposeful to teach others,” Fitzgereld said.
The exhibit is open through Dec. 23 and again Jan. 5 through 8 in the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries, located in the lower level of the Liberal Arts Center.
The Efroymson Bridge Year Fellowship is a competitive award from the Efroymson Family Fund that provides a recent graduate of USI’s Art Department a year to work on creative projects.
Fitzgerald received $10,000 over the course of 2014 to strengthen her portfolio, work with a mentor, gain teaching skills and put on a solo art show at the end of the fellowship.
“The Efroymson Bridge Year Fellowship has only been around for two years. The first girl who won, Jamie Williams, was a painter,” Fitzgereld said. “She and I have kind of been like guinea pigs for the fellowship, trying to test out what works and what doesn’t for timing and responsibilities.”
Although Fitzgereld said she always felt that art was where she belonged, she also felt that others have heavily influenced her.
Some of her biggest influences come from comic books and pop art artists such as Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol. Fitzgerald said her mother-in-law and husband have been big supports to her.
“They had faith in me and in my art skills,” she said. “I couldn’t be happier with this career.”
In her work, she combines her interest in science with her passion for art to create an unique showing for the public, she said.
“I’m very excited to see everything hung up and my books on display,” Fitzgereld said prior to the show’s premier reception Wednesday.
“There will also be a science-themed photo booth too, and I can’t wait to see everyone’s photos.”
Fitzgereld said she encourages students and the public to come out to view the event.
“I think that it is great for anyone who wants to see what a professional art gallery looks like,” Fitzgerald said. “A lot of people on campus don’t even know we have an art gallery, which is a shame because it is such a beautiful space.”
