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Stephanie Wadman may have started out as a pre-med major (at Hillsborough Community College), but a drawing class she took to help balance out her schedule brought about a realization.

“Almost instantly I was taken by the notion that I don’t actually have to hate what I am studying,” said Wadman, who soon transferred to The University of Tampa and changed her major to art.

Beginning today, Wadman will join 27 of her fellow graduating fine arts students in an exhibition at the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery at The University of Tampa. The show runs through May 10, and a closing reception is scheduled for Friday, May 10, from 7–9 p.m.

Each student will exhibit works in their area of expertise, including painting, computer graphics, graphic design, animation and mixed media.

Wadman is showing six pieces in the exhibition, including one painting, two drawings and three sculptures, all dealing with the subject of restricting and constriction of an object or thought.

“The two drawings, Thought Patterns and Thought Patterns and Bridges, deal with the psychological effect that restrictions have on us,” said Wadman. “Through creating a repetitive texture with ballpoint pen I reference textures that are in my sculpture and create forms that combine amoeba-like forms with neuronal references.”

Though her immediate plans post-graduation include catching up on her sleep, in the fall Wadman will start the Master of Fine Arts in sculpture and expanded practices program at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

“I have had two sculpture professors who have become mentors and friends,” said Wadman, referring to Kendra Frorup, assistant professor of art at UT, and Roger Chamieh at HCC. “They support me in every endeavor, and challenge me to make work that pushes the boundaries of my abilities, and I know that I would not be headed to grad school without them.”

The gallery is located on campus at the R.K. Bailey Art Studios, 310 North Boulevard, and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. There is no charge for admission.

For more information, contact Dorothy Cowden, gallery director, at (813) 253-6217 or dcoweden@ut.edu.