RELEASED: September 4, 2008

DANVILLE, KY—Each year, Centre requires incoming first-year students to read a book chosen by a committee of faculty and staff. This year's selection, "Land of Lincoln: Adventures in Abe's America" by Andrew Ferguson, generated something more than good conversation…it inspired art. First-year students were invited to create "response art" to their summer reading, which eventually resulted in more than 30 submissions of graphic designs, photos, music, poetry, paintings and other media. In return, those students who submitted art were invited to a special VIP meeting with author Andrew Ferguson, who will be on campus Sept. 10.

Annie Schultz, of Owensboro, Ky., painted a multi-colored portrait of the famous president, each color meant to represent a different side of Lincoln.

She says, "Ferguson's work made me realize how differently Lincoln is perceived by different sub-cultures of people. I wanted my painting to be slightly abstract to offer a visual of yet another interpretation of Lincoln and to portray him in a different light."

Kat Cantelou, from Chattanooga, Tenn., came away from Ferguson's work with a similar impression but with a more melancholy reaction.

Cantelou says her art was inspired by how people use Lincoln's words by adding them to their own particular cause. 

"In this action," she says, "people place their voices over his and silence Lincoln. The very man they mean to clarify."

Collin Seale, from Lake Charles, La., created a collage which he felt demonstrated the many fine qualities of Lincoln while including central themes from Ferguson's text.

All submissions are currently on exhibit in Crounse Hall in the J. David Grissom Gallery and Reading Room.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Consumers Digest ranks Centre No. 1 in educational value among all U.S. liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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