By Michael Schaffer - Managing editor
The Indian Hills Community College Board of Trustees during their meeting Monday in Centerville selected student Tom Kyle's mixed media artwork for the annual art award.
Kyle received $200 from the college and his artwork, entitled "Colors," will be part of the school's permanent collection and will hang in the Arts and Science office on the Ottumwa campus. The collage, pastel and acrylic artwork is on 3/4 inch plywood, took 10 hours to complete and is patterned after a stream in Nauvoo, Ill. He drew inspiration from four different artists to make the work: IHCC Art Instructor Mark McWhorter, Dr. Johnson, also with IHCC, and professional artists Gerald Brommer and Steven Quiller.
"Tom is one of the more talented students we've ever had," McWhorter said. "He really is. I'm not saying that because of the award. Actually, the board gave the award to the right person."
Kyle is seeking an AA degree with an emphasis in fine arts. He said he plans to pursue art as a career. "I consider myself a small-time professional amateur artist," he said.
Kyle said he has a mural hanging in the ADLM office in Moravia and has sold pieces on Ebay. Art has been something he has wanted to do since he was a kid.
"In preschool we had to draw pictures and they turned it into a dinner plate you could give to Mom as a gift," he said. "And so ever since then I've been wanting to make things and turn it into something permanent for people to enjoy and look at."
