As Payton VanRavensway of Russellville stood surrounded by her artwork at Arkansas Tech University’s Norman Hall Art Gallery and recalled her journey to that moment, she reflected upon the inspiration provided by her son.
“It was a big goal of mine to achieve this to show him that you can follow your dreams and not worry so much about the income portion of things because that comes along with it when you throw yourself into something wholeheartedly,” said VanRavensway. “This has been a long time coming. I actually started school initially back in 2013. I had to quit when I had my son, and now here we are. It has taken a long time, but it’s definitely a worthwhile achievement and I’m really grateful to have the opportunity.”
A December 2025 ATU graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, VanRavensway capped her Arkansas Tech experience by providing a solo exhibition of her work entitled “Positively Peculiar” in December 2025 and January 2026. She participated in a closing reception at Norman Hall on Thursday, Jan. 22.
VanRavensway has created and sold art and illustrations on a freelance basis throughout her time at Arkansas Tech. With her degree in hand, she is now applying for full-time design work while maintaining her freelance practice.
Whatever steps come next in her art career, VanRavensway will always remember and appreciate the influence of the ATU Department of Art faculty members.
“The way that they’re able to work one-on-one with you and actually learn you as a person…I can gladly say I know each of my professors quite well and they definitely get me and my style,” said VanRavensway.
Learn more about the ATU Department of Art at www.atu.edu/humanities/art.
