Sutton Allen Spends Summer in NY at Important Residencies
Earlier this year Sutton Allen was published for his experimental body of artwork in the peer-reviewed NCHC Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (UReCA). Allen works primarily in oil and his past series, exhibited in the Annual Juried Student Exhibition, explored iconography and images of antiquity. Before finishing up the spring semester, Allen had two residencies lined up for the summer—one at the New York Academy of Art and another at the New York Studio School. Both programs are merit-based, internationally acclaimed, and require an intense level of commitment as students are challenged daily with the problems of drawing, painting, and sculpture.
Following a 32 hour train ride from Alton to Manhattan, Allen found himself fully immersed in the tradition of painting. “I took five classes at the New York Academy of Art. I was given studio space and encouraged to make work and participate in the community there,” commented Allen. Allen was a resident for a month there and transitioned into a two-week intensive program known as a “Marathon” at The New York Studio School. Recognized internationally, marathons are highly sought after by students and they have inspired and influenced teaching around the world. “Every day, we arrived at 9 a.m. and painted straight through until 6 p.m. It was very technical, and I learned so much about traditional painting and where it fits in the context of society,” said Allen.
With a summer spent further developing his conceptual and visual skills, it is clear that Allen is well on the way to pursuing a successful career as a professional artist. This fall, he will begin his senior year and initiate the installation of a sculpture he designed for campus. “I want my sculpture to be an entry point for questions—it will serve as part of the spirit of inquiry…the kind of inquiry that is supposed to take place on college campuses.” Upon completion of his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting, Allen plans to attend graduate school at a state university. To see more of his work, you can visit follow him on instagram.
