Photos by Luke Purvis
Each year, FRCC hosts AvantArt, an event that brings together students, families, professors, and the local community to celebrate the incredible achievements of aspiring artists. This year’s gathering, held at Odell Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado, showcased the diverse talents of hundreds of students from various art-related disciplines, including Graphic Design, Fine Arts, Music, Interior Design, and Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
The meaning behind AvantArt, described by Maggie Adams, the MGD Director at Larimer Campus, goes far beyond an exhibition. “It’s about celebrating our students and their hard work. Producing art is a rigorous process, and this event highlights the dedication they bring to their craft. It’s also about giving students real-world experience in submitting their art for publication, whether it’s accepted or not. That’s a critical part of being a designer, learning to embrace feedback and even rejection.”
AvantArt is more than a showcase, it’s a stepping stone. Published pieces in the AvantArt book not only validate students’ efforts but also provide a tangible asset for resumes and portfolios. As Adams explains, “It’s not just about Graphic Design; it’s department-wide. It’s a way to highlight the breadth of talent across all our art programs.”
Creating the AvantArt magazine was not a small task. Brandi Ginn, Blake Harris, Brian Villers, Maggie Adams, Stacie McMullen, and Jon Cheathem worked very hard to get this article out. When asked about the process, Jon Cheathem explained, “We started at the beginning of the semester with mood boards and a concept, which was ‘calm in the chaos.’ From there, we selected colors and graphical styles before building layout ideas for each section. Tasks were divided among us to create spreads, including the front and back covers, ads, and flyers. Once all the work was compiled, we had about a week and a half to refine and print the magazine. In total, it took from the end of August to mid-November.”
The event also serves as a vital touchpoint for families and loved ones to witness and celebrate the achievements of students, many of whom balance full-time work, school, and family responsibilities. “It’s important for students to feel validated and appreciated,” says Adams. “Having their loved ones there to support them means so much.”
One standout contributor to this year’s AvantArt book was Morgan Schwartz, a Graphic Design major who contributed five pieces to the publication. For Morgan, the event held a deeply personal significance. “I like the freedom of expression in Graphic Design,” she shared. “The ability to show different things in different contexts and send a message is what excites me most about it.”
Seeing her work published was not just a milestone but also a personal triumph. “It means a lot,” Morgan explained. “There’s the résumé perspective, of course, but also the recognition that I’m doing good work. It’s a boost of confidence, especially for someone like me who struggles with imposter syndrome.”
Morgan hopes to turn her passion into a career in branding, helping others find their identities through design. “It’s something I’ve struggled with personally, so being able to help others would be awesome,” she said.
AvantArt creates a festive atmosphere where creativity meets community. The vibrant event, hosted annually, underscores the importance of the arts in education and life. It’s a chance for students to share their hard work, for families to rally around their loved ones, and for professors to take pride in the growth of their students. Ultimately, AvantArt is a testament to the power of art to inspire, unite, and propel individuals toward their dreams. Whether through a published piece in the AvantArt book or the support of a loved one, the event leaves a lasting mark on everyone involved.
As Maggie Adams summed it up, “This is a celebration of our students—of their resilience, their creativity, and their futures.”
