Alyx Farris

Alyx is a post-baccalaureate fellow who has been part of the Knox women’s soccer team for five seasons. She currently works with Professor of Art Gregory Gilbert in the Borzello Gallery of the Ford Center for Fine Arts building, doing student exhibit research and installation, curating Knox’s permanent art collection, and cataloging. She is also a teaching assistant for his Introduction to Museum Studies course. 

How did you get involved in the art program at Knox? 

I took an art history class in high school, and I have always created art. I did not know the career options available nor the possibilities for art education. The Introduction to Art Museum Studies course at Knox was my first chance looking at potential art careers. It was also my first time at the Whitcomb Art Center, where I first met with student artists who had interests similar to mine.

Are there any faculty members that have given you opportunities to improve your artistic abilities further?

Every professor has somehow helped encourage my artistic practices. For instance, my own advisor, Greg Gilbert, has helped in recognizing artistic obstacles, as well as academic ones, and making sure that I achieve a balance between a critical and creative approach. Students, more so than faculty, have helped with the creative part of art making. Once I took a printmaking class with a visiting instructor who taught a spontaneous type of art making called mono prints. There were no rigid rules in terms of what we could make, and that was uncomfortable for everyone in the class. We all bonded over being confused and humbled over what we were creating. We were driven by each other to try new techniques and approaches.

What has surprised you about your Knox experience? 

I didn’t expect to find friends and relationships that I would want to maintain forever. I expected to find like-minded people, but what I found was much more than that.

What advice would you give to prospective students who have similar interests as you? 

No choice will determine or doom your entire future. I change my mind about everything every day. I have a new direction every day. Make sure you are comfortable with changing your mind. For example, I took computer science classes, history classes, and literature classes. Every class I took, whether I hated it or I loved it, has changed my outlook on art making, and culture and society. I don’t regret taking any class. 

How does Knox make you proud? 

I am proud of the super intelligent and capable people who have changed my life. Being from Knox means being associated with those people. I had an internship at a museum in St. Louis. That was really self-affirming, and I solidified my plans in terms of art education. Even opportunities on campus, such as working in close relationships with mentors, have enriched my learning here. There is a juried art show every year—recently renamed the Blick Art Show—where students submit artwork for the show and professional artists/jurors choose the best couple of pieces in each media. It is great to see final artworks made by friends and peers and to see our work hung up in a real art show. Celebrating each other is really encouraging and cool.