Four art students from Alexandria Technical and Community College will exhibit their work at Fine Line Arts – Alexandria Echo Press

ALEXANDRIA – Four graduates of Alexandria Technical and Community College’s Communication Art and Design program will be exhibiting some of their work at Fine Line Arts in Alexandria from May 14 to June 24.

Maglothin, 22, is an animal illustrator whose main style is realism. Her favorite mediums are colored pencils and digital art created in Procreate on her iPad. She will graduate from ATCC on May 11th with an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts. She says she hopes to get a job as a freelancer or illustrator.

“I get inspiration from nature, the world and the animals around me and my pets,” Maglothin said. “I make art to capture the expression and spirit of animals.”

Originally from Morristown, Maglothin has been drawing since she could hold a colored pencil. She says she has always loved art and never tires of it.

“Art is a way to create something cool or pretty and to express your emotions. Sometimes I use them to show how I’m feeling,” she says. “I am proud to have the opportunity to exhibit my art at Fine Lines Art Gallery. I hope to meet new people and socialize.”

Her favorite piece on display is entitled “Scarlett”, a colored pencil drawing of her mother’s horse.

Berglund, 22, of Alexandria, will graduate from ATCC this spring with an associate’s degree in communications art and design. After graduation, she plans to transfer to the University of Wisconsin Stout to pursue her bachelor’s degree in graphic design.

She says she’s a dabbler when it comes to media and styles. But her favorites are pen, ink and oil painting.

“I love the precision of pen and ink and how much you can create just by playing with lines and strokes. I love oil painting because it’s relaxing and allows me to relax and live in the moment,” Berglund said. “As far as styles go, I like to use vibrant colors and a light-hearted, playful tone.”

Berglund says she had a natural inclination towards art since she was young and used it as a means of entertainment.

For a long time she didn’t see art as a realistic career option, says Berglund. But after her life drawing instructor said she had a lot of potential, she was convinced to join the Communication Arts and Design program.

“For me, art is all about creation. There is so much joy in making a piece and watching an idea come to life. It almost feels like magic to see a piece come together,” she said.

One of her favorite works on display is The Anatomy Lesson – a parody oil painting of Rembrandt’s The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolae’s Tulip”.

Pesta, 19, grew up in Royalton and is an illustrator who loves telling stories through her work. Most of her pieces are made digitally in Procreate or Adobe Illustrator in the style of cartoons and fantasy. She also works with traditional mediums such as watercolor and oil paint. She will graduate from ATCC on May 11th.

“I create for the joy of creating… It’s a release from everything else that’s going on in the world, from all the stresses of everyday life,” Pesta said.

Pesta says she has always had a love for art and illustration, and reads children’s books like The Invisible Moose and Go Dogs Go! Had a strong influence on her as a child.

After school, she says, she hopes to land a job in illustration, but currently has side projects lined up for the meantime. She chose art because she enjoys it and is passionate about it.

She said her favorite piece is the lion and the rabbit because it best showcases her illustration skills.

“Having my work on display feels like a great achievement. I had never exhibited a work like this before and it’s a big step for me,” she said.

Mattzon, 20, of Zimmerman, will graduate from ATCC in Individualized Studies this spring. She plans to land a design job, but hopes to one day become a children’s book illustrator.

She said that from a young age she was inspired to create art by her father.

“We had this framed ‘doodle’ he did a long time ago of a horse-drawn carriage in the snow, and every time I looked at it I felt drawn to the subject. From then on, I drew all the time,” Mattson said.

Mattson will be exhibiting a three-part series called Minnesota Waterfowl that will showcase her love for plants, wildlife and Minnesota, and will showcase her two favorite media, watercolor and colored pencil.

“Art for me is an escape from frustration, anger and sadness. It’s something to look forward to after a long day, and it’s something timeless,” she says. “I don’t have to do it all in one sitting. It can take me years to complete a piece without judgment.”

She added that when people see her work in a gallery, it’s a dream come true.

“Artist recognition is something we all aspire to, especially in a profession that’s labeled ‘broke.'”

These four artists will be exhibiting their work at Fine Line Arts starting Saturday May 14th with an open house gala from 3pm to 6pm and will be on sale until Friday June 24th.

For more information, call 320-433-0923 or visit the store’s website at

www.finelineartsmn.com.