08/17/2026
The UNG Department of Visual Arts celebrated the closing of I Am Multicolored: The Human Connection with a wonderful reception and a presentation by UNG alumna Olivia Tinsley on Lenn Redman’s What Am I?
What Am I? is a groundbreaking 1970s illustrated poem and lithographic series exploring the diversity and unity of humanity. The work inspired the concept for this juried exhibition, co-sponsored by the Quinlan Visual Arts Center, the Redman Family Foundation, and the University of North Georgia.
Congratulations to Olivia on her excellent presentation and on the culmination of an eighteen-month research project. The Department is especially grateful to Mark Redman for supporting Olivia’s research and providing enriching opportunities throughout her journey, and to Nairika Cornett and the Quinlan Visual Arts Center for hosting the exhibition and organizing two wonderful receptions.
This project also reflects the tremendous support of the UNG community. Special thanks to Josie Vrooman Toney, Bobbi Larson, and Alex Kraft, whose work and enthusiasm helped bring the project together, as well as our College of Arts and Letters leadership: Jen Graff, Elisabeth Burgess, and Chaudron Gille. We were delighted to have Jeff Marker, Alicia Marker, Esther Morgan-Ellis, Daniel Johnson, Jordan Mund, and Darcy Hayes join us for the closing celebration.
We are also grateful to Stewart Swanson and the Foxfire Museum for attending and bringing a wonderful gift of folk pottery aprons for our ceramics students, to Jim Thomas of the Sautee Nacoochee Center for his continued mentorship of Olivia, and to Mary Hemmer, Executive Director of the Northeast Georgia History Center, for joining us.
A special thank-you goes to the participating artists who attended the closing reception: Leylis Miraval Ramos, Jane Hemmer, and John Hemmer. The June opening reception also brought together UNG student artists Lucy Basso, Madeline Blanchard, Madelyne McDaniel, Madeline Engel, Miriam Kim, Kenya Perez, and Maria Elvira Velasquez; alumni Megan Allen, Marsha Hopkins, and Alex Sexton; and Associate Professor of Drawing and Painting Craig Marshal Wilson.
This exhibition created meaningful opportunities for students and alumni to participate in their first national-reach juried exhibition, while also strengthening connections among UNG, regional arts organizations, artists, alumni, and the broader community.
Thank you to everyone who helped make I Am Multicolored: The Human Connection such a memorable and meaningful project. We look forward to many more collaborations that connect our students and alumni with the vibrant arts community of North Georgia and beyond! 🎨
