‘Make It Happen’ says new gallery exhibit

Southwestern Community College students have a yearly exhibit where art instructor Kelly Devitt organizes her students art into a public collection. This year, one student broke the traditional mold.

Robynn McKinney held their opening reception for their Creston Art Gallery exhibit “Make It Happen,” showcasing art mostly from their last year at SWCC, from courses to personal studies. For McKinney, art is a form of communication.

“I usually don’t talk to people and it’s always been kind of an emotional outlet, but also something, if I can’t say it out loud, I reflect it in my art,” McKinney said. “I want other people to kind of take that with them, that there is a community out there for you.”

Devitt, SWCC’s only art instructor, said McKinney stood out from the rest of the students, and chose them in collaboration with Creston Arts for this gallery.

“They have such passion for fine art in their own time and their classes,” Devitt said. “Robynn is the kind of student that goes the extra mile. They made sense to be the one who we could help emerge into the fine arts world.”

McKinney’s exhibit showcases a variety of mediums and form, from paintings to sculpted work. In the exhibit, McKinney wrote a description on the meaning of the exhibit and their passion for art.

The intro to the description reads, “‘Make It Happen’ is a phrase we often use to motivate ourselves as artists. If we just put paint to canvas or pen to paper the result does not matter if we enjoy the process it took to get there. It also stands for the fact many artists are afraid to try new mediums and get outside of their comfort zone, especially in an age when they are ridiculed for trying something new.”

Encouraging others to pursue art, McKinney wants the exhibit to inspire other artists. Throughout each piece, there’s a feeling of something new within each one, McKinney trying something unique each time.

Their favorite piece in the exhibit is a painting titled “Reflections.” Using acrylic and oil paints, the painting is described by McKinney as an ode to their friends who live in Florida. McKinney, before moving to Iowa for their studies, grew up in Florida. “Reflections” is a way to stay connected with their friends.

Some works in the exhibit are based off other forms of media. One digital piece, titled “One on One,” is based on Joe Kerry’s (under the stage name Djo) song “Lonesome Is a State of Mind.” “One on One” features a description which connects McKinney’s thoughts of the song with their piece.

McKinney describes themself as a soft-spoken person. With a slight note of self-deprecation, they said visitors should take the exhibit with “a grain of salt.” Still, the goal for the exhibit is to have their work resonate with someone and will help encourage other artists.

“Not all my pieces will reflect with all of these people, but I’m hoping at least someone my age or older, even if they don’t think that they can do art in any sense, they can try it at least,” McKinney said. “And it doesn’t have to be necessarily the best thing when it comes to results, but I just want them to try to be able to do something, even if they think they’ll be bad at it.”

“Make It Happen” is available for viewing for the month of May at the Creston Restored Depot.