“I decided to apply and see what happens. Before I knew it, my work got selected.”
The University of Texas Permian Basin is celebrating one of its own, as senior art student Abril Tejeda has earned a prestigious spotlight: her original painting is now on display at Odessa Arts' City Hall Exhibition, where it will remain for an entire year.
Tejeda, who is pursuing a BA in Art with All Level Teacher Certification, was selected after responding to an open call for artists she saw on the Odessa Arts Facebook page.
“I decided to apply and see what happens. Before I knew it, my work got selected,” Tejeda shared
The artwork, which began as a classroom assignment at UTPB, reflects a creative twist on a traditional still life painting. Tejeda was inspired by fruit imagery but took it a step further, painting fruit that had been sliced open, revealing its vibrant complexity.
“It was my first painting of the semester, and it was for sure a struggle,” she explained. “But I enjoyed the process of how it came together.”
UTPB Art Professor Nancy Hart noted that Tejeda’s painting was particularly impressive given it was her first time using painting materials, requiring her to plan the composition, learn brush techniques, and develop texture with acrylics.
“’Still life of a Cut Pomegranate’ proved challenging for her since she was using painting materials for the first time,” Hart said. “She was able to experiment with different techniques and a range of values in the monochromatic piece to achieve an original and creative work.”
Now showcased on the fifth floor of Odessa City Hall, Tejeda’s piece is not only viewable by the community, but also eligible for purchase. During the exhibition’s opening reception, participating guests were encouraged to vote for their favorite artwork, and the City of Odessa committed to acquiring the winning piece for its official gallery collection.
“It showed me that I have the potential to create art that people will love,” said Tejeda. “A confidence boost to continue creating art.”
As she nears graduation and her upcoming student teaching internship, Tejeda remains grateful to those who supported her on this journey.
“I give my thanks to Nancy Hart and my boyfriend Kristopher Sawchak for pushing and supporting me to enter this gallery showcase,” she added.
UTPB is proud to recognize students like Tejeda for their academic achievement and involvement in creative opportunities.
Tejeda, who is pursuing a BA in Art with All Level Teacher Certification, was selected after responding to an open call for artists she saw on the Odessa Arts Facebook page.
“I decided to apply and see what happens. Before I knew it, my work got selected,” Tejeda shared
The artwork, which began as a classroom assignment at UTPB, reflects a creative twist on a traditional still life painting. Tejeda was inspired by fruit imagery but took it a step further, painting fruit that had been sliced open, revealing its vibrant complexity.
“It was my first painting of the semester, and it was for sure a struggle,” she explained. “But I enjoyed the process of how it came together.”
UTPB Art Professor Nancy Hart noted that Tejeda’s painting was particularly impressive given it was her first time using painting materials, requiring her to plan the composition, learn brush techniques, and develop texture with acrylics.
“’Still life of a Cut Pomegranate’ proved challenging for her since she was using painting materials for the first time,” Hart said. “She was able to experiment with different techniques and a range of values in the monochromatic piece to achieve an original and creative work.”
Now showcased on the fifth floor of Odessa City Hall, Tejeda’s piece is not only viewable by the community, but also eligible for purchase. During the exhibition’s opening reception, participating guests were encouraged to vote for their favorite artwork, and the City of Odessa committed to acquiring the winning piece for its official gallery collection.
“It showed me that I have the potential to create art that people will love,” said Tejeda. “A confidence boost to continue creating art.”
As she nears graduation and her upcoming student teaching internship, Tejeda remains grateful to those who supported her on this journey.
“I give my thanks to Nancy Hart and my boyfriend Kristopher Sawchak for pushing and supporting me to enter this gallery showcase,” she added.
UTPB is proud to recognize students like Tejeda for their academic achievement and involvement in creative opportunities.
