The Austin College Department of Art and Art History is hosting an alumna exhibit of works by Eve Neidhardt from October 24 through December 13 in Ida Green Communication Center’s Ida Green Gallery. The exhibit is free and open to the public, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. An opening reception will be held Saturday, October 26, from 4;30 to 6 p.m. in conjunction with Austin College Homecoming & Family Weekend activities. For information, call the Art Department at 903.813.2283.
Neidhardt’s exhibit, titled “Witness,” includes portraits created with walnut ink, black ink, and charcoal on canvas. Each figure is a hybrid of feline and human features to illustrate felines as great observers and humans as great pretenders.
The artist writes of her work, “In these current times, I believe most of us, including the creatures of the Earth, are witnessing events that trouble and affect us deeply. Global warming, greed, wildfires, floods, wars, the plight of immigrants and fear of domestic terrorism plague our hearts and destroy our homes, our sense of peace and normalcy.” Describing the portraits, Neidhardt says, “In these hybrids, the feline half helps the human feel and show emotions, while the human half helps to keep the feline’s wild, runaway instincts at bay.”
Neidhardt is a life-long artist who began painting as a 2-year-old in her father’s studio. Her father, the late Richard Neidhardt, was an accomplished artist and a member of the Austin College Art Department faculty from 1967 until his retirement in 1986.
She graduated from Austin College in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in art and completed a master’s degree in education at Austin College 10 years later. Alongside creating art, she has worked many interesting jobs such as movie set painter, rock concert roadie, and long haul trucker. She retired from teaching art in public schools after 20 years.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 50 percent of students identifying as persons of color. The residential student body of approximately 1,300 students and more than 100 expert faculty members allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. This year, the campus recognizes 100 years of co-education and has had several opportunities to recognize the history of women and accomplishments of current alumnae. Austin College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.
