Kristin McKibben and artwork that will be included in her exhibit, “Mostly Harmless” at the Ray Frederick Gallery on the MCC Campus in Marshalltown.

tamatoledonews.com MARSHALLTOWN (SPECIAL) – The best decision Kristin McKibben ever made was marrying her high school sweetheart Mat. Her focus on art in high school took a back burner while she held a job and raised a family. When Kristin and Mat’s daughter was 14, Kristin decided Zoe didn’t need as much support so Kristin had more time to pursue some of her own interests. She took several IVCE art classes then her husband suggested she might as well be earning college credit for her work.

“Marshalltown Community College was the natural choice,” said Kristin. “It works so well with students who also have a work schedule. MCC really accommodates non-traditional students very well. I started at MCC in 2006 with the intention of studying graphic design. I took a ceramics class and my mentor helped me realized that I really wasn’t happy with my career unless I could push my creativity. Taking art classes was the best decision I made, next to marrying Mat.”

Many people don’t realize the powerful partnership between Iowa Valley Continuing Education (IVCE) and the Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD) colleges in Iowa Falls, Grinnell and Marshalltown. Kristin had quality experiences at MCC, where she learned the basics of design, digital imaging, and graphic design principles. She also took Drawing I and II, 2D and 3D Design and many of the basic prerequisites that would transfer to a four-year college.

“I also met Tim Castle, MCC Associate Professor of Art, who is a fantastic teacher. I discovered a love for painting. He really encouraged my path,” adds Kristin. “There is a large contrast between graphic design and painting. Painting allows me to have a different kind of satisfaction. It is hands-on and intuitive. You have more invested. Graphic design is very different from the paintings I produce.”

When Kristin transferred to the University of Northern Iowa she discovered motion graphics. This work mingles motion, illustration, and sound. Kristin added that it was hard to turn the illustrations into animations at first. But she began to enjoy it.

“I was surprised by being enamored by animation and the new technology – something I was apprehensive about. I really love it. I’m really surprised that animation would end up being my niche. I’m surprised how easily I picked up the computer technology.”

“We are thrilled to have Kristin bring her UNI work back to MCC to share with our current students and the community,” says Tim Castle. “Kristin’s educational success is a great example of how MCC can transition students into higher education and from here on to the universities. And she’s also a talented and driven artist whose work is most engaging.”

“Mostly Harmless” will be open through Friday, Feb. 4 and will feature Kristin McKibben’s ceramics, pastels, encaustics, animation, and several oil paintings.

Kristin’s artist’s statement could read, “I’ve become interested in exploring society’s distortion of beauty. I am very aware of social issues and I’m interested in using my art to make others aware of them as well.”

The Ray Frederick Gallery is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.