About the Artists
Francis Akosah Akwaboa is a Master’s student in Art with a focus on sculpture at Eastern Illinois University.
Christopher “G” Gadomski is a 1998 graduate of Eastern Illinois University who continues his career at EIU as an instructor in the EIU Theatre Department where he has served as the department’s Technical Director and an instructor since 2012. With over 50 shows built as a Technical Director and 50+ shows as a scene designer, he keeps busy within his discipline both inside and outside of EIU. He lives in Tuscola, IL, with his wife and three children, where he enjoys pursuing creative outlets by drawing and sculpting both by himself as well as with his kids.
Mack Graham is a Junior Studio Art major, also minoring in Graphic Design. They have been creating art for as long as they can remember and have had ties with the Eastern Illinois University art program from summer of 2016 to present day. Graham focuses on the human figures a majority of the time, ranging from realistic to a stylized cartoon look.
Kirsten Paape is a junior at Eastern Illinois University currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a 2D Emphasis and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, along with a minor in Art History. Paape writes, “Creating art has been an outstanding passion of mine and gives me a vehicle to voice my ideas. My dream is to continue to refine my artistic disciplinary skills and advocate for issues I am passionate about. I am incredibly honored to be able to share my art with this community.”
E. Reidy is a graduate from the class of 1997. A trainer by trade, she picked up a paintbrush for the first time eight years ago while volunteering with a local arts council and decided to teach herself to paint. A wife and mother of four children—three human and one swamp dragon—she spends the time she isn’t annoying her children and spouse creating custom stationery, collecting art supplies, and occasionally finishing a painting.
Ben Roughton is a first-year student at Eastern Illinois University majoring in Art. Roughton writes, “I like to make highly detailed intricate cityscapes and this is a piece I made for fun while doodling on my computer. In addition to working with digital art, I enjoy working in other media such as pencil and paper, charcoal, and acrylic. I look forward to exploring new media as I develop my craft as an art major at EIU.” Find Roughton on Instagram @soupcolallc.
Grace West was born in 1999 in a town near Champaign, Illinois. West writes, “Having grown up around wooded spaces, farmland, and small creeks I desired to be an explorer. This mentality of exploration continues to accompany me in my artistic endeavors. As a student at Eastern Illinois University, I developed a love for observing life through a pencil or paintbrush, finding the intricacies, or letting the spirit of the object become an inspiration. I enjoy painting abstractly, without much guidance in the beginning, allowing myself to make mistakes and fully explore all angles of a composition.” Find West on Instagram @Nielaska_art.