Four Alexandria Technical and Community College art students will exhibit their works at Fine Line Arts

ALEXANDRIA — Four graduating students from Alexandria Technical and Community College’s Communication Art and Design program will be exhibiting some of their works at Fine Line Arts in Alexandria from May 14 to June 24.

Maglothin, 22, is an animal illustrator whose primary style is realism. Her preferred mediums are colored pencils and digital art done in Procreate on her iPad. She will graduate from ATCC on May 11 with an associate’s degree in Fine Arts. She says she hopes to land a job as a freelancer or an illustrator.

“I get inspired by nature, the world and critters around me, and my pets,” said Maglothin. “I make art to capture the expression and spirit of animals.”

Originally from Morristown, Maglothin has been drawing since she could hold a crayon. She says she has always loved art and never gets tired of it.

“Art is a way to create something cool or pretty and vent your emotions. Sometimes I use it to show how I am feeling,” she says. “I am proud to have the opportunity to show my art in the Fine Lines Art gallery. I hope to meet new people and make connections.”

Her favorite piece that will be exhibited is titled “Scarlett,” a colored pencil drawing of her mom’s horse.

Berglund, 22, of Alexandria will graduate this spring from ATCC with an associate’s degree in Communication Art and Design. After graduation, she plans on transferring to the University of Wisconsin Stout to complete her bachelor’s degree in graphic design.

She says she is a dabbler when it comes to mediums and styles. But her favorites are pen, ink and oil painting.

“I love the precision of pen and ink and how much you can create just by playing with lines and strokes. I love oil painting because it’s relaxing and allows me to loosen up and live in the moment,” said Berglund. “As for styles, I like using vibrant colors and a lighthearted, playful tone.”

Berglund says she had a natural proclivity toward art since she was young and used it as a way to entertain herself.

For a long time, Berglund says she didn’t consider art as a realistic career option. But after her instructor for her Life Drawing class said she has a lot of potentials, she was convinced to join the Communication Art and Design program.

“Art, to me, is all about creation. There is so much satisfaction in crafting a piece and watching an idea come to life. It almost feels like magic to watch a piece come together,” she said.

One of her favorite works that will be on display is “The Anatomy Lesson” — a parody oil painting of Rembrandt’s, “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulpe.”

Pesta, 19, grew up in Royalton and is an illustrator who loves to tell stories through her work. Most of her pieces are made digitally in Procreate or Adobe Illustrator in the style of cartoons and fantasy. She also works with traditional mediums like watercolor and oil paint. She will graduate from ATCC on May 11.

“I create for the joy of creating… It’s a release from everything else going on in the world, all the stress of everyday life,” said Pesta.

Pesta says she has always had a love of art and illustrating and children’s books like The Invisible Moose and Go Dogs Go! Had a large influence on her as a child.

After school, she says she hopes to find a job in illustration, but currently has side projects lined up for the meantime. She decided to pursue art because it’s what she enjoys and is passionate about.

She said her favorite piece to be displayed is the Lion and Rabbit because it best shows her illustration skills.

“To have my work on display feels like a great achievement. I’ve never had work on display like this before and it’s a big step for me,” she said.

Mattzon, 20, of Zimmerman will graduate from ATCC this spring with a degree in Individualized Studies. She plans to land a job in Design but hopes to one day become an illustrator for children’s books.

She said from a young age she was inspired to create art by her dad.

“We had this framed “doodle” he made a long time ago of a horse-drawn carriage in the snow, and every time I looked at it, I felt drawn towards the subject. From there, I was drawing all the time,” said Mattson.

Mattson will have a three-piece series on display called Minnesota Waterfowl which showcases her love of plants, wildlife and Minnesota and represent her two favorite mediums, watercolor and colored pencil.

“Art to me is an escape from frustration, anger, and sadness. It’s something that I can look forward to after a long day, and it’s something that is timeless,” she says. “I don’t need to finish the whole thing in one sitting. I can take years to complete a piece without judgment.”

She added that to have people see her work in a gallery is a dream come true.

“Recognition as an artist is something we all strive for, especially in an occupation that is referred to as ‘broke.'”

These four artists will have their work on display at Fine Line Arts starting on Saturday, May 14, with an open house gala from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and will remain on display for sale until Friday, June, 24.

More information can be found by calling 320-433-0923 or on the store’s website at www.finelineartsmn.com.