Artwork by Lander Students and Professors Featured in Major Exhibit
March 17, 2026
“I am so proud to witness and celebrate these students’ accomplishments (and each of our art students) as they step out into the professional art world,” Snipes said. “It is especially meaningful that the exhibit allows us to exhibit our work together – not just as teacher and student, but also as artists.”
Snipes’ and DeLeo’s joint submission included two oil paintings on canvas. Snipes’ painting is titled “Momentary,” and DeLeo’s is titled “Reflective Light.”
Meanwhile, McAbee and Medlin chose different media for their joint submission, with Medlin submitting her steel sculpture titled “Oh My Lanta,” and McAbee submitting a color drawing titled “I’ll Take the Nekkid One (Oh My Lanta).”
According to McAbee, the Bascom’s annual Emergence exhibit is a highly competitive juried exhibit, with entries from students and professors across the entire Southeast. Since the focus of the exhibit is on mentorship, art faculty choose a student to apply with, and submit their work as a partnership.
Pictured left is “Momentary,” by Elizabeth Snipes; pictured right is “Reflective Light,” by Kylie DeLeo.
“All the big schools and their grad students are part of this and it’s really cool when we get in too,” McAbee explained, whose work was also accepted last year, along with Lander student MG Morrow.
Dr. Misty Jameson, associate dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, commented that she was impressed to learn of Lander’s inclusion in the Bascom’s Emergence exhibit. However, she was not surprised, since mentorship of students is one of the college’s core values.
“Our approach to mentorship at Lander goes far beyond our studio walls,” Jameson explained. “Individualized instruction from dedicated faculty fuels both personal and professional growth in our student artists. Here, they will receive the artistic preparation they need to thrive as thoughtful creators and innovators in their careers and their communities.”
Click here to plan a visit to the Bascom in Highlands, North Carolina.
To learn more about the Department of Art at Lander University, please visit www.lander.edu/art.
