RADFORD -- The Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd is reaping the benefits of senior graphic arts student and Floyd County native Meghan Delozier who is collaborating with the center and the Floyd County school system to bring graphic design instruction to students. Her goal is to get sixth graders excited about graphic design and teach them “some of the cool things that we do,” Delozier says.

There were, however, several hurdles to cross before the teaching could begin, including several technical issues.

“We worked out a content delivery system through Google sites so the project files and information can be available to any computer that has an Internet connection and can also be used to showcase the student's work for others to view when they are done,” said Delozier’s professor John O’Connor.

RU’s graphic arts students learn by doing and O’Connor encourages them to push themselves beyond the limits and look for art in all things and in all the places. Delozier is working with that theory in mind. When visitors come to the center and when she engages youth in art projects, she wants them to walk away from the experience knowing that, indeed, art is everywhere. “Art is not just seen in traditional mediums such as paintings, sculpture or photos. It can be created on the computer as well. I want them to know art is not limited,” she says. “Also, I want them to know that just because you’re not good at one medium doesn't mean you can't be good at another.”

Delozier looks to other artists for inspiration in all mediums. And as any artist-at-heart knows, art comes in all forms. She says music has the greatest influence on her work.  After graduation this spring, she plans to work locally, helping to market and package materials for a business in her hometown.