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Nia Crutcher, a senior art major and Honors student at Eastern Michigan University (EMU), recently showcased her artistic talent in a solo exhibition titled “A Black Girl’s Garden.” This exhibition featured over 20 of her artworks and was held at the EMU Student Center Gallery in March and April. It marked the first undergraduate student art show at EMU since the pandemic.
Crutcher’s artistic journey began in early elementary school when her parents noticed her passion for art and enrolled her in classes. She has remained actively involved in the arts community ever since. The concept behind “A Black Girl’s Garden” was to provide the perspective of a young Black woman who grapples with personal appearance and everyday life while celebrating natural hair and the natural world. The exhibition showcased watercolor, oil paintings, and ceramic elements from Crutcher’s body of work.
One of Crutcher’s mentors within the fine arts program at EMU is Professor Amy Sacksteder, who has taught her for over three years. Dr. Sacksteder encouraged Crutcher to express herself by incorporating personal elements and experiences into her art pieces. According to Dr. Sacksteder, Nia is an exceptional artist who inspires her peers, professors, and the EMU community.
Crutcher drew inspiration from the Intermedia Gallery Group at EMU, which offers opportunities for art students to hold solo or group shows. She applied for her solo exhibition once she felt she had enough art to showcase, and her hard work paid off with the successful exhibition.
Looking ahead, Crutcher plans to attend graduate school in New York after graduation. Her long-term goals include becoming a professor of fine arts and opening a gallery and café specifically for young people of color. Her dedication to her craft and her commitment to representing Black women’s experiences through art make her a promising artist to watch.