A Celebration of Creativity at UVI’s Second Annual Student Exhibition

Apr 30, 2025
2 min read

Updated: 1 hour ago

Excitement and artistic energy filled the University of the Virgin Islands’ Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix, on Tuesday, April 29, as students, faculty, and community members gathered to celebrate the unveiling of the Visual Arts Student Exhibition Space. The event, held in room EVC 208, showcased artwork by past and present students from both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses.

The exhibition featured a vibrant collection of drawings, paintings, and digital pieces, showcasing creative work from courses taught by UVI Art Faculty members Susan Edwards, Shira Sofer, and Danica M. David from the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences Communication and Performing Arts Department.

Art Faculty Spotlight

Susan Edwards, who began teaching at UVI in 1991 at the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas, highlighted the diversity of her students: "I enjoy meeting an array of talented students in person and across the sea remotely on St Croix. My students have ranged in age from teenagers to octogenarians." Edwards teaches ART 128: Drawing 1, ART 150: Painting 1, ART 231: Painting Studio, ART 117: Basic Design, and ART 217: Design.

Shira Sofer, who began teaching at UVI in 1995 at the Orville E. Kean Campus on St. Thomas, expressed her unwavering dedication: "For the past three decades, it has been my passion and joy to provide students at UVI with a diverse range of art history courses that offer interactive, enriching, and stimulating experiences." Sofer's course load includes ART 117, Basic Design; ART 125, Survey of World Art; ART 126, Selected Problems in World Art; and ART 275, Teaching Visual Art to Children and Adolescents.

Danica M. David, who joined the University in 2015 at the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix, stated, "I find immense fulfillment in guiding students to cultivate their artistic skills; witnessing their weekly progression brings me great joy." David has taught ART 117: Basic Design, ART 217: Design, ART 150: Painting 1, ART 150: Painting Studio, ART 218: Caribbean Art I, and ART 219: Caribbean Art II.

Student Voices and Artwork

The exhibition’s promotional poster featured a piece by student artist Yazmeen Turner, currently enrolled in Painting 1 with Professor David. Turner described her growth as an artist throughout the semester: “At the beginning of class, I was hesitant and unsure about using acrylic as a medium. However, I feel I have grown as an artist thanks to Professor David’s teachings and critiques. With each painting, I saw clear improvement, and I became more confident in my technique.”

The Value of Art at UVI

Events like this celebrate student creativity and the University’s commitment to fostering personal and academic growth through the arts. UVI’s minor in fine arts offers a supportive space for students to explore their talents and connect artistic study with other academic disciplines.

For many, these experiences transcend the classroom, enhancing self-expression, career development, and community engagement. The Visual Arts Student Exhibition highlighted UVI’s role as a place where creativity flourishes and connections between campuses and cultures are strengthened.

For more information about UVI’s Visual Arts Program, contact:

Danica M. David

Art Faculty, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Communication and Performing Arts Department