Student, alumni artwork purchased by Target

Art by CCAD students will soon grace the walls of Target's newest distribution center in West Jefferson, OH, opening in March 2014. The national retailer held an art acquisition contest in March, charging CCAD students with the task of creating and pricing two-dimensional art suitable for a workplace environment.

The national retailer partnered with CCAD as part of its Student Art Acquisition Program, an initiative started in 2004 to build a sense of community in distribution centers. Artwork by art students at more than 35 art colleges and universities has been purchased and installed in 20 distribution centers in the U.S. and Canada since 2004.

"Our team members feel a stronger sense of community in their work environment since the artwork is purchased from local students," said Andrea Myers, senior interior planner for Target. "For students, the program provides an opportunity to build their resumes, sell their work, and experience the business side of the fine art world."

Target put out a call for submissions to all CCAD students outlining criteria for the artwork and guidelines for submission. Myers said they received 104 submissions from CCAD, more than the 40 to 50 submissions that they typically receive in other communities.

Photography junior Beth DuBoe's photo Breakfast in Bed was one of 25 pieces chosen by Target, much to her surprise.

"I was honestly a bit shocked," DuBoe said. "I have never worked with a corporate customer like Target, and the experience was really nerve-wracking at the beginning. I think it takes courage as a student to present your work to such a large company, and having a piece chosen was really an honor."

The photo is a play on words, she said, with breakfast foods nesting in a little bed.

For DuBoe, the hardest part of the process was pricing her own art.

"Putting a value on yourself and your work can be really difficult," she said. "I had to really think about each piece that I submitted individually, and consider what I really thought each piece was worth. It was great practice for what will come after school."

Myers said the installation of the artwork is planned for this month.

"The art installation is one of the last things completed at the building and it makes for a beautiful finishing touch in the new spaces."

CCAD winners included Fashion Design alumna Krista Sison (CCAD 2013) from Cleveland, OH (Valley Forge High School); Illustration alumnus Travis Hayes (CCAD 2013) from Columbus, OH (Loudonville High School); Photography alumna Alora Donahue (CCAD 2013) Columbus, OH (Greenon High School); Fine Arts senior Nicholas Maraldo from Cleveland, OH (Strongsville Senior High School); Illustration senior So Yeon (Sophie) Lim from Vancouver, Canada (Semiahmoo Secondary School); Photography seniors Tyler Dunlavy from Cable, OH (Triad High School), Amie Stephson from Pickerington, OH (Pickerington High School North), and Derick Whitson from Mansfield, OH (Mansfield Christian School); Photography junior Elizabeth DuBoe from Canal Winchester, OH (Canal Winchester High School); and Photography sophomore Mckenzie Yerrick from Uniontown, OH (Hoover High School).