by Nikole Gianopoulos
University of West Georgia student Janice Sundberg is a painting major who is graduating fall 2014. I know what you’re thinking. Thousands of students graduate from college every semester, what’s the big deal? Janice is special because she is a 71-year-old painting major that has been in the art program at UWG for seven years.
“She has been a delight to teach and have in our program,” said Clint Samples, assistant chair and associate professor of the UWG Department of Art.
Janice married into a family of artists but never considered studying to be an artist. Instead, she went to nursing school. After retiring, she decided that she would like to paint a picture of her grandmother’s house where she spent a lot of time as a child. All she had was her memory and a small black and white photo to go by.
“I wanted to do a decent watercolor painting so I signed up for a class and another and another,” said Janice. “I was hooked.”
She started by only taking one or two courses at a time but eventually realized that she would need to become a full time student while she was still physically able to do so – and that she did.
“I told myself that I would continue giving it my best effort until I reached an obstacle I couldn’t get over,” she said. “That time never came.”
Now, seven years later, Janice is ready to graduate. She was not limited by her age or any other factor. Janice mentioned that her husband refers to her as a career student, but she prefers lifelong learner.
The talented student recalled a memory of her traveling to New York with her museum seminar class to visit art galleries for a week.
“The students treated me like a peer and we had a ball,” said Janice about her experience. “The art department faculty is attuned to each student's needs and gives tirelessly.”
Janice is a testimony to all UWG Wolves to reach as far as you want in life and turn your dreams into reality.
Chuckling, Janice concluded, “This is probably way more information than you wanted, but I get excited at the opportunity to talk about UWG!”
Janice’s senior exhibition, “Pastiche – Liminality of Life” will be on display until November 21 in Humanities Gallery 2 from 9am-5pm.
For more information regarding the exhibition, please contact jsundbe1@my.westga.edu.
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