Denise Ferguson ’15 showcases artwork in national pastel exhibit

May 24, 2016

2015 alumna Denise Ferguson’s pastel painting, The Unexpected, was accepted into the Wichita Center for the Arts’ prestigious National Pastel Exhibit. The 2016 Exhibit is showcasing 75 works completed by the nation’s leading pastelists.

The Unexpected portrays a Somali woman in her cultural attire holding her American born baby to her chest.

“The inspiration for my art came from my desire to have a cross-cultural experience and to help meet a need here in the community of Sioux Falls,” said Ferguson. “I saw that a lot of us stay separated from the refugee and immigrant populations, and I wanted to find a way to bring two cultures together.” 

Through a mentoring program, Ferguson was able to build relationships with Somali refugees in the community.

“I spent quite a bit of time in their apartments and tried to help a couple of Somali women pursue educational opportunities,” said Ferguson. “Being involved has revealed many complexities to their situations and it’s my desire to see more people spend time getting to know our refugee neighbors and hearing their stories.”

Ferguson is grateful to the USF Art Department for molding her into the person she is today.

“I greatly appreciate the genuine care and support demonstrated by the professors,” said Ferguson. “Their values and advice extend beyond the classroom.”

To learn more about Ferguson’s artwork, visit www.denisepaulson.com.