糖心Vlog传媒

Stewart Gains Valuable Experience Through Internship with Johnny Cash Sculptor Kevin Kresse

Nicole Stewart, a junior studio art major at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, had a rare opportunity to work on a public sculpture that will be placed in the U.S. Capitol Building after interning with Johnny Cash sculptor Kevin Kresse this summer. The National Statuary Hall Steering Committee selected Kresse, a 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock alumnus and skilled artist, in June 2021 to create an eight-foot-tall bronze statue of the country music star as one of two new statues that will represent Arkansas in the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Idaho artist Benjamin Victor is creating the second statue of Daisy Bates, a civil rights leader and journalist. As part of her internship, Stewart has worked on the Cash sculpture throughout the summer and has learned all the 鈥渢ips and tricks鈥� that go into creating a sculpture. Stewart equates interning with Kresse to 鈥渓earning karate from Mr. Miyagi.鈥� While already a fan of Cash, Stewart said she鈥檚 learned a lot more about the musician鈥檚 activism and good works during her internship. 鈥淲e鈥檝e talked a lot about his activism and his work with prisoners,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淚 like working on something that talks about Johnny Cash, his message, and what he stood for. It鈥檚 pretty amazing to be a part of documenting someone so important in history that is being immortalized in the nation鈥檚 capital. It鈥檚 a great honor to work with Kevin on that.鈥� Stewart met Kresse while working on the 7th Street Mural Project together in downtown Little Rock. Stewart later told Michael Warrick, a professor emeritus of art at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, that she would like to intern with Kresse. Warrick, who is a longtime friend and sculptor partner with Kresse, was happy to connect the two. 鈥淣icole is the third intern I鈥檝e had from sculpture majors that鈥檚 worked with him over the years,鈥� Warrick said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity to have a young artist work with a senior artist to gain knowledge and skills and perspective. Nicole is one of the best. She was my studio assistant this summer for the two artWAYS workshops I did. Her energy, her aptitude, and her skill set is out of the box and through the roof.鈥� Kresse identified Stewart as a 鈥渄ynamo鈥� who has stepped up to help him complete the Cash project this summer. 鈥淲hen I was having a rough week, Nicole was jumping in, and I realized what a great eye she has,鈥� Kresse said. 鈥淚 told my wife that I can tell more at this age which young artists will make it through their personality if they have the grit and determination to do it, rather than seeing their portfolio. She has the work ethic and the eye and the grit to become a great artist.鈥� When Stewart joined 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2018, she saw it as a second chance to complete her college education. After graduating from high school in 1999, Stewart attended community college for a short time before beginning a career in event planning and catering. 鈥淎t first, it was intimidating to come back to college,鈥� Stewart said. 鈥淎 lot has changed since 1999. I鈥檝e been really fortunate to have all these incredible mentors. It鈥檚 been really inspiring for me. Even though I am in my 40s, I鈥檓 so happy I came back. I鈥檝e had great experiences at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock. Plus, I came back right when they opened this new art building. I came back at the perfect time to pursue art.鈥� Stewart will graduate from 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2023 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in studio art focusing on sculpture and a minor in applied design focusing on ceramics. While she had previously given art up for 15 years before going back to college, Stewart is more dedicated than ever to having art in her life, participating in everything from sculpting and painting to insect taxidermy and bone carving. 鈥淎rt is a buffet, and I want to take a bite out of all of it,鈥� she said.