Catron Exhibition showcases summer research, student artistry

Free and open to the public, the exhibition runs in the Sadler Center Hart Gallery from Nov. 10 until Dec. 5 and features student experiences across a diverse range of mediums and perspectives.

Catron Scholar and kinesiology major Sadie Vaughan '27 performs a self-cheorographed piece at Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy, in June 2025. (Courtesy Photo)

Committed to uplifting William & Mary's vibrant artistic community, the Charles Center is hosting a gallery exhibition celebrating the work of last summer's multi-talented Catron Scholars.

Free and open to the public, the exhibition runs in the Sadler Center Hart Gallery from Nov. 10 until Dec. 5 and features student experiences across a diverse range of mediums and perspectives.

Seven undergraduate artists received the unique opportunity to explore engaging artistic opportunities in summer 2025 with support from the Louis E. Catron Grant for Artistic Development, which awards each student up to $5,000 to explore an off-campus educational experience related to creative or performing arts.

A special reception will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, featuring brief presentations by Catron Scholars on their respective projects. Visitors are invited to cycle through the gallery to hear each presentation, facilitating an immersive and interactive atmosphere.

Catron Scholars represent a broad scope of interests within the arts, including dance, cinematography, drawing, painting, screenprinting, and theatrical production. Each used the financing provided by the Catron grant to pursue personal research avenues in their distinctive spheres of interest.

Kinesiology major Sadie Vaughan '27 spent the summer pursuing dance at Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy. In addition to training in contemporary, modern, and ballet technique, Vaughan performed professionally and self-choreographed pieces.

Her project employs a series of filmed dance solos to portray the experience of growing up neurodivergent, exploring the evolving challenges of identity and belonging across different stages of life. According to Vaughan, the opportunity was transformative.

"My time spent at Accademia dell'Arte this summer was spent not only growing stronger as a dancer, but stronger as a person," Vaughan said. "While it was not my first time out of the country, it was certainly my first time experiencing as much as I did. I truly am a different dancer and person than I was at the beginning of the summer."

Cate Oken '27, an English and Theatre double major, worked at Ensemble Arts Philly as a Marketing Intern in Philadelphia.

Oken assisted with event management and digital marketing, such as advertising for the organization's largest events including two Broadway touring shows and the annual Pride Concert.

The internship provided her with skills and connections highly valuable to her pursuit of a career in arts administration.

"My internship at Ensemble Arts Philly was beyond helpful for my career in arts administration. I learned about several elements of theatre marketing and made invaluable connections within the Philadelphia arts community," Oken said.

Art major Katelyn Workman '27 used the Catron funding to attend the Mount Gretna School of Art Summer Intensive in Mount Gretna, Pennsylvania. Throughout the experience, Workman engaged with a variety of art forms including plein air painting, drawing, and collage workshops.

"Most of the faculty took the approach that you learn where you are uncomfortable," Workman said, "by pushing yourself to do what you are not currently doing or learning more about the world of your painting."

She also had the opportunity to gain critiques from 15 different visiting artists and complete in-person museum studies in New York City and Philadelphia.

"Engaging discussions with peers, asking faculty so many questions, and visiting critics' lectures were key aspects in helping me to learn more about painting technically. Starting to grapple with what a painting is in my practice expanded my perspective on what it means to function as an artist within a profession and lifestyle."

Interested in learning more about the Louis E. Catron Grant for Artistic Development? Click here.

Jane Valadakis

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