Artist Reception for Mike Howard and two resident artists held At IAC

Troy’s International Arts Center (IAC) held an artist reception for an exhibit by Mike Howard along with the exhibits of previous resident artists last Thursday. Howard’s exhibit, titled “Gravity and Gesture,” was a part of a large donation to the university.  

The exhibit had all-consuming canvases that held imagery, such as corporate logos on top of landscapes that hold everyday people as well as paintings of dogs that employ layers of gloss. The paintings were held at Troy’s Phenix City campus before coming locally to be displayed.  

Synee Pennington photo

“We will also be having his artwork show up in different parts of campus,” said Carrie Jaxon, director and curator of the IAC. “We are very fortunate that he has entrusted us with such a large donation.” 

Jaxon also explained why the university had the artist reception in the first place.  

“We are a university that supports the arts,” Jaxon said. “Having all of these artists together and the celebration together is so important in that people can come together and see the movement that’s happening in the International Arts Center.” 

In addition to the “Gravity and Gesture” exhibition, the reception highlighted two exhibits by artists Jennifer McCohnell and Douglas Pierre Baulos, two artists who previously participated in Troy’s Artist Residency program. 

McCohnell, the resident artist from 2024, highlights themes that she continues to return to in her works. In her artwork, which in the IAC are mainly sculptures, represents how roles in women’s communities have continued to embody her in her everyday life.  

Sydnee Pennington photo

“Everything about my work comes from that,” McCohnell said. “As a southern woman, I grew up with certain expectations and experiences that really sort of inform everything.” 

Baulos’, the resident artist from 2025, works were born out of his time in the Arboretum, which inspired him to make art using the native plants inside. He uses a mixed media approach to his pieces that creates a naturalistic quality.  

“Even though I'm very influenced by the natural world, I also want to subjectively create a blending of how I emotionally feel, safe or unsafe in certain environments,” Baulos said. 

Guests take a look at the artwork on display during the Artist Reception last Thursday. "Gravity and Gesture" was the exhibits' title.

Students who attended the event were inspired by the artworks presented. Shania Williams, a junior studio art major from Phenix City, Alabama, explained how she was inspired specifically.  

“There’s a section inside that kind of resonates with me as a Black woman and also growing up in the south,” Williams said. “It inspires me to keep that history alive, to show where I'm from, what it’s like, and things of that nature. 

 “I just think me being here tonight helped me form my opinions as an artist and to inspire me.” 

“Gravity and Gesture” will be displayed in the IAC until April 30. In addition, the exhibit will be displayed in the Foyer Gallery, while McCohnell and Baulos’ exhibits will be displayed in the Huo Bao Zhu Gallery.