SORENSON ARTS SCHOLARS SPOTLIGHT 2022
CREATED in 2006 through the generous support of Richard W. and Sandra L. Sorenson, the needs-based Sorenson Arts Scholarship is awarded to incoming first-year students with demonstrated talent who are interested in maintaining their artistic pursuits while at Babson. These students continue to develop as artists through mentorship, feedback, and structured annual projects. These projects start with an autobiographical piece, moving to exploring and expanding within and beyond their primary medium, to a capstone project that reflects the culmination of their time at Babson through their art. The Sorenson Arts Scholars Spotlight is an annual event where the scholars share their artistic process and finished project. This catalog illustrates a small part of the scholars’ journey and celebrates their commitment to their artistic development.
MADISON ADLER ’21 at the 2021 Sorenson Arts Scholars Spotlight
SOOBIN LEE ’24 at the 2021 Sorenson Arts Scholar Spotlight
PAST RECIPIENTS MADISON ADLER ’21
MATTHEW HARD ’16
ALEXANDER MARKOVITZ ’10
MARIA BLANCO ’20
DOMINIC ESPOSITO ’15
RAFAEL BALAGUER ’09
JOSEPH NASH ’20
MORGAN KEITH ’14
TY COHEN ’08
ALEXA FORGIONE ’19
SUSANNA KROLL ’14
LAUREN SON (GREEN) ’06
ANNELIESE GLAUBITZ ’19
MEGAN BETTLES (OSINSKI) ’13
SARAH HEALY ’06
LAUREN NOHELTY ’18
SUOPENG GAO ’11
AM AR A OGUKWE ’22 BOST ON, M A
“My work is heavily influenced by the
surface, but I’ve also learned a lot about
COVID pandemic. I originally picked up
the history of nails. Nails are a popular
nail art to pass the time, but my interest
path to economic freedom for Vietnamese
evolved into something greater. Not
and black women, and the rich cultural
only have I learned how difficult it is to
history behind the art is something I hope
complete full paintings on a tiny, tiny
to bring to light.”
LOGA N HARRIS ’22 MONT VALE, NJ “This time around, I was inspired by business makeover shows and Gordon Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares. Like any inexperienced person might think to do, I decided to make my own version — a one man band of writing, casting, directing — I gave it a good old college try. “Top Intern” challenges six of New Jersey’s top performing students to compete in saving a dying business. The students come from various backgrounds, cultures, and professional experiences - the diversity is reflected in the variety of business-saving concepts.”
Contestants of “Top Intern.”
C A R O L I N E CLARK ’23 PHILA DELPHI A, PA
“My project this year was catalyzed by the question of “Whether or not there is madness in creativity?” and my answer is “Yes.” The two stories I will be sharing are inspired by other artists and writers, such as Shel Silverstein and Tim O’Brien. As a poet, I will be challenging myself to attempt to pursue short story writing as my intended medium. The goal of my presentation is to push myself as an artist, as well as to utilize the talents of artists around me in order to display the ideology that help is always available… only if you are willing to ask.”
Part 1: The Cry of War Children (excerpt) By Caroline Clark
At the time, I went by the name, “Georgia Joy.” When we first met, I believed that you and I were one of the same. As child soldiers, we were forced to walk with our guards up and our hands tied behind our backs. Meanwhile, we watched the veterans fight one another until death. I thought that maybe you understood that beauty could grow from violence, as laying peonies upon those who died before us served as a regular occurrence for people like you and me. I also thought you knew that there is also beauty in retiring violence and finding the quiet places on the planet; to find safe havens away from the chaos. I, too, at the time, was so enthralled with you as we showed one another our scars. I finally felt safe. The war felt like it had ended. I was no longer walking alone. Instead, we would continue walking with our guard up. Yet this time, we would do so with our fingers interlocked. The world lay aflame behind us as we ran away from the battle laughing. We were unable to believe that we had made it out alive. And little did we know… this was only the beginning.
S O O B I N LEE ’24 NATICK, M A
“My piece this year is an extension of my project from last year. With my project this year, I want to be more expressive and step out of my comfort zone a little. I will start by sketching some of my favorite things that make me happy and embroidering them. The idea is for my project to become a visual collection of all the small things in life that I enjoy. Art is a very strong and therapeutic outlet for me, and I hope that my project can inspire and spread a little joy to the people who see it.”
C O L B Y MART EL ’2 4 NASHUA, NH “The theme of my project this year is growth. I began by illustrating a digital flipbook short-film with Adobe Photoshop, showcasing a seed flourishing into a sunflower. However, I recognized that during this process, I was glorifying growth while not actually growing myself. I sat comfortably in my room, alone with my laptop and stylus, while I could have been out experiencing new things, developing new skills, and meeting new people. Despite my struggles, I learned to express myself on camera and now create videos that hundreds of thousands of people enjoy and share each month. I still have a long way to go, but I am very excited with the progress so far and grateful for everyone who has supported me along this journey!”
G A B I GAROZ ZO ’25 HAV ER HI LL, M A My project brings attention to the effects of growing up within two different households and cultures on my identity. Though I deeply love and appreciate both of my cultures, I have always struggled with fully immersing myself in either. As I tend to paint still life, I decided to express these sentiments by painting figs, which are integral to both cultures, a quality I relate to. Food has always been an empowering and essential element within both my Italian culture and Lebanese culture. I believe their cuisines encompass the breadth of either’s richness, and I can recall many childhood memories that have eating as the focal point. So, the figs within my painting symbolize my childhood experience as a whole.
J U L I A N IVARRA ’2 5 DAL LAS, TX “As a fabricator, I often try to infuse my passions into my projects to convey personal significance. The project, named i4, displays the internals of an inline-4 engine supported by an exoskeleton of a shipping crate that would be used to transport it. The inline-4 engine is a variation of the internal combustion engine; this engine is found in many cars on the road today. As a car enthusiast, I believe that this specific engine variation would present me with a challenging yet feasible project and allow me to showcase a passion of mine that I have been interested in since my childhood. The piece also functions as a small coffee table—holding true to my objective of creating functional artwork.”
In progress photo (top). Previous projects by Julian Ivarra (bottom left and right.)
N O R A RYAN ’25 ABING TON, M A “As I was reflecting on my life thus far, I was immediately drawn to thinking of grand and momentous occasions. Yet when I traced my personal journey to who I am today, I concluded that my development made strides from the small moments in my life that are so often overlooked. The goal of my project is to examine some times in my life that appear far from special and highlight the emotional essence that impacts me to this day. While life may feel like a series of stepping stones towards greater achievements, when we observe what lies in between those defining moments we truly see our growth. My project is a series of small times in my life that made lasting impressions on me as the woman I am today. My writing encompasses themes of human connection, love, passion, and the ability to dream that may inspire others to measure themselves in raw feelings rather than accolades.”
Reeling (excerpt) By Nora Ryan
In my library, I pick up a tape. I insert and hear the computer whir to life A Highlight Reel Two minute compilation. Comprised of seven second clips scores & swishes & slam dunks secured by a seeming star. A vivacious beat compliments the visceral talent of the subject A combed over collection of highs sifted swiftly, omitting miniscule moments whose grandeur pales compared to the fallacy exuded
As the credits roll, I travel further down that same corridor titled “Archives of the Past” The shelves stocked with different genres and mediums I roam the aisles In pursuit of the piece that accurately depicts the intersection of my past and present My fingers run smoothly over the binds, like playing a glissando on the piano. But then I halt on a specific chord. I see a peculiar looking piece. A handcrafted good unlikely to ever share similarities with a sports spotlight.
“ D E D I C AT E D T O T H E V I S I O N , C R E AT I V I T Y AND COMMITMENT T H AT I N S P I R E S EXCELLENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN T H E A RT S A S IN BUSINESS AND IN LIFE.” — S O R E N S O N C E N T E R D E D I C AT I O N P L A Q U E , 1 9 9 7
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Cover art by Colby Martel ’24