If a poll were taken, and the question asked was "What is one of the most important forms of  human expression,?" an answer that might come up often would probably be art. Art has been one of the most important and priceless forms of expression society has been able to  use for decades to capture the human spirit and create a world of beautiful  images.  Each year, more and more budding artists introduce society to their creative world through their art works and many emerging artists are in school right now, honing their skills to be the best that they can be.  Art isn't the easiest product to produce. One must have a gift to be able to create something so beautiful and powerful that enables art lovers to see into the soul of the artistic work on display.  Among the many people striving to make a name for themselves in the art world are several student-artists, whose works are on display. They may someday become household names in the world of art.

Bernadette Keeling

Bernadette Keeling is in the first year of a master of art degree program at California State University-Fresno.  Keeling, a native of Kansas, credits her mother for being her inspiration.  "While I was in grade school, seeing my mother draw and paint captivated me.  Her style was more in line with Michelangelo.  I was stirred, inspired, and baptized to be an artist."

Keeling started taking art classes in middle school, and won an honorable mention for a pastel drawing in 7^th grade.  From there, she went on to high school and college to continue her art studies.  While attending Neosho Community College, she placed second in the Neosho Valley Community College Art Competition, and this year, she will receive an honorable mention in the same contest.  These art pieces, Clay Vessel and Family Affair, are just a couple of her works of art.

Ameera Muhammad

Ameera Muhammad, a senior at West Virginia State College, is eagerly awaiting graduation in May 2000, and can’t wait to step out into the world of art. Muhammad, a New Jersey native, realized that she wanted to be an artist while in the fifth grade.  One of her teachers recognized her talent and "she recommended me for the magnet program.  I started immediately, and I've been in gifted classes ever since." She has a wide variety of interests in the art field.

Muhammad has dabbled in printing and etching, but her true passions are abstracts and oils, as seen in her two projects From You I Came and What's So Different.

Roosevelt Nunn

Roosevelt Nunn, born and reared in Chicago, is a senior at Northern Illinois University.  The art major is multi-talented. He enjoys sculpture and Painting a great deal. Nunn first realized he wanted to pursue art while he was in high school, and stayed with it until he began college. However, he wasn't in college for long when he experienced a temporary setback.  "I spent some time in the military and initially left school before I regrouped and placed academics in the forefront of my life again."

In 1996, the artist in him finally peeked out again and he decided it was time to return to school.  At first, he was afraid of the competition, but he gained confidence, and now is doing very well in his studies.

The Sun, the Moon, and the Son, The Reason, and Dignity are just a few samples of his work.