The “Roots and Routes” senior art exhibit had its opening reception in Conn Library’s Nordstrand Visual Arts Gallery at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23.  

The exhibit highlights the works of four of Wayne State College’s seniors: Alba Laredo Luster, Abby Olson, Clark Koppelmann, and Bridget Tranmer. The display is free and open to the public until noon on April 13.  

Beatriz Rodriguez, who teaches the senior art exhibit class at WSC, said the inspiration behind the class and exhibit was to show the students’ growth and to get them ready for their futures.  

“We noticed that they had correlations of nature, family and a journey throughout, so the show is very heavily reliant on that,” Rodriguez said. “For the people who see this, they get to experience art that is about a journey for the students, and they get to see each one’s unique interests and viewpoints.”  

She also said that the show is a great opportunity for families to see the growth of their kids and for them to see what their work looks like in a professional setting.  

“For the people who see this, they get to experience art that is about a journey for the students, and they get to see each one’s unique interests and viewpoints,” Rodriguez said. 

Olson said that most of her work for the show was inspired by where she came from and what her family does.  

“We come from a farming and ranching background, and it’s really shaped who I am,” Olson said.  

Her piece, “Love and Care,” was created to show the impact of multiples, inspired by Andy Warhol’s screen-printed piece of consumer products and their quick distribution. 

“I wanted to do the same thing with my family’s product- cattle- to show that despite the fact that we have so many of them, we still love and care for each individual cow,” Olson said. “It is very important for people to understand where their food comes from and the immense amount of work and energy it takes to provide that.”  

Luster also spoke about her artwork, saying that she wanted to create an emphasis on her ties to her family and Latino community. Several of her pieces signify her and her journey as an immigrant and dreamer.  

“The butterflies in my pieces not only represent me, but also my community, because monarch butterflies migrate through Mexico, Canada, and the United States,” Luster said. “I identify myself as a butterfly because of their journey, but also because they’re growing.”  

She wants those who see her pieces to understand the struggles that Latinos have and the journeys that they must undergo.  

“It is not only me that is going through them,” Luster said. “Other Latinos go through the same struggles as well. We are a community, and I want to show them that this is not only for me, but for every Latino out there.”