Art demands passion. It evolves based on fresh ideas from new faces. In its spirit of fostering the local art scene, the Triangle Arts and Culture League has announced its second student resident artist, Christina Fleckenstein. The program, part of the Cultivate the Arts initiative, invites one student per school year to join the league’s advisory board and allows that student a stipend toward the development of a public art project in the medium of his or her choice.
“We met with her and just felt like she was a perfect fit for us,” said Terry Buntrock, TACL’s founder and CEO.
Fleckenstein, a rising senior at William and Mary, studies art and art history as well as neuroscience at William and Mary. She’s also currently applying to medical schools.
“Interdisciplinary studies at William and Mary have allowed me to work with others to solve challenges through innovation and creativity,” she said in a news release. “I know art will play a role in both my career and personal life. I’m excited to have an opportunity to create a public art project and to serve on the TACL board during the coming year, because it will allow me to become more involved with and give back to the Williamsburg community.”
The exact nature of her project hasn’t been announced. Last year’s student, Rachel Merriman-Goldring, wrote a paper on the positive impact of public art on marginalized communities. TACL’s board members were so impressed, they invited her to remain on the board after her tenure in the program initially ended.
“She just knocked it out of the park with that,” Buntrock said, adding that this year’s candidate will likely produce something more hands-on. “They’re both so dynamic.”
Buntrock is confident that Fleckenstein can combine her passions for both medicine and art, perhaps combining the two to examine the impact of art on the brain and the body.
“I’m sure she will figure out some way to bring that into her practice,” Buntrock said.
She said the organization may expand the program to include multiple students in the future. The goal remains to offer new ideas and expand our thoughts, offer new ideas
“It is important to TACL’s mission and to our board members, that through our Cultivate the Arts program, we reach into our local college community for inspiration, energy and innovation for our public art mission,” Buntrock said.
Birkenmeyer can be reached by phone at 757-790-3029.
