UMW Art Professor Sculpts Student Bonds, Quarter-Century Career

An oversized aquamarine sculpture crafted using sun hats, silk and wood. Black and white ink drawings on bristol board. An elaborate gown made entirely from pantyhose. This is just a small sampling of the artwork inspired by University of Mary Washington Professor Emerita of Art Carole Garmon by her former students, mostly alumni.

The exhibit, called “The Class: If You’re Asking the Question, You Already Know the Answer,” which runs through March 23, showcases the quarter-century career of Garmon at UMW. Housed in the University’s duPont Gallery, it features the work of 24 artists, most of whom shaped their art beside her in Melchers Hall. An array of sculpture is highlighted, including object, performance, digital and conceptual works.

“This exhibition represents all the students who have spent time in Melchers searching for their voices and learning how to communicate their ideas through visual language,” said Garmon. “It represents those late nights in the studio working through obstacle after obstacle, dancing to music for inspiration and hiding things in the studio for me to find later.”

Garmon, who retired in 2024, will return to the gallery on Thursday, March 13, at 5 p.m. – not to find comedic treasures stashed by students with whom she bonded – but to give a talk reflecting on her time teaching at UMW. She’ll discuss “the most rewarding aspects of mentoring and guiding young artists and tell the stories behind the exhibition,” she said.

Professor Emerita Carole Garmon will speak on March 13 at 5 p.m. in duPont to reflect on her 25 years of teaching at Mary Washington. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

These black and white ink drawings by Travis Head ‘02 are some of the pieces on display through March 23 in duPont Gallery on the UMW campus. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

UMW alumni Shanna Aberle ’24 stands by her piece “Rotations of Remembrance”; she helped curate the exhibit alongside Garmon. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

“Stepping into my first class with Carole was undeniably intimidating,” said Shanna Aberle, a 2024 graduate who helped curate the exhibit alongside Garmon. Self-described as reserved and quiet, Aberle learned to appreciate her teacher’s dynamic approach. “She introduced me to a constant stream of artists and questioned my intentions toward my work, helping me realize that art doesn’t need to take a specific form,” Aberle said. “The journey pushed me to develop new skills, ideas and an understanding of my own strengths.”

Many of the exhibit’s featured artists had similarly memorable experiences with Garmon during their time at Mary Washington and beyond. At the exhibition’s opening events in February, they spoke at a roundtable sharing experiences under Garmon’s tutelage, recounting amusing anecdotes and telling heartfelt stories that highlighted her impact as a mentor and educator.

“I am so very touched to be one of the memories in this exhibit,” said Claire McKinley ’12. “I thank Carole for her guidance, support and mentorship, and for providing the tools to stand up against adversity and to own my identity, expression and voice in the face of censorship.”

Garmon stands in front of the drawings she crafted for each featured artist – available for them to take home at the end of the show. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

Featured artists gathered on the exhibit’s opening night in February to speak at a roundtable sharing experiences under Garmon’s tutelage. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

Mary Washington alumna Sarah Perry ’07 poses with her elaborate artwork crafted of pantyhose on wire. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

One of Garmon’s first students, Tom Condon (VA Tech ’00), poses with his artwork on display in the duPont Gallery through March 23. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

A large crowd attended the exhibit’s opening night to celebrate 25 years of artistic expression. Photo by Suzanne Rossi.

A unique aspect of the collection is a personal touch added by Garmon at the entrance – a greeting card-sized drawing for each featured artist – available for them to take home at the end of the show.

“This gesture underscores the deep connections Garmon has forged with her students over the years and highlights the kinds of lasting relationships that students considering UMW can expect to form with their professors,” said UMW Galleries Exhibition Coordinator Shannon Petska. “The exhibit showcases the quality and variety of work produced by Mary Washington students while in the studio art program and after.”

For Garmon, it represents the reason she wanted to teach. “I was always waiting for amazing students to change the way I think about art and thank goodness they did,” Garmon said. “I am a very lucky person!”

Artists featured in “The Class” include Shanna Aberle ’24, Carlisle Bingham ’06, Abernathy Bland ’05, Caitlin Cocco ’09, Tom Condon (VA Tech ’00), Matt Czapiewski ’08, Teneé Hart ’11, Honor Bowman Hall ’06, Travis Head ’02, Larry Hinkle ’00, Maria Joranko ’15, Jesse Kopp ’09, Jordan Kyler ’15, Robert Wood Lynn ’08, Merida Marston ’09, Erin Martinelli ’08, Claire McKinley ’12, Sidney Mullis ’14, Chad Mundie ’18, Sarah Perry ’07, Molly Sheldon ’08, Wren Tiffany ’21, Taylor White ’17 and Paula Zuleta ’23.

To learn more about art education, art exhibitions on campus or the University’s Galleries, visit the UMW Galleries website or the Department of Art and Art History webpage.