Feature Story
Finding New Opportunities to Pursue Art at Southern Virginia University
Amelia Osterman (’27) is a double major in design and fine arts with a business minor who has created her own unique art education at Southern Virginia University by actively seeking opportunities to develop her skills on campus and learn of new career opportunities.
“I feel like as time has gone on and I’ve just let life come around me and kept my eyes up and open and aware of what is happening around campus, I’ve been able to find the things that I was supposed to,” said Osterman.
Osterman first learned of the university in her hometown of Cheyenne, Wyoming, from family friend Holly Burningham, the daughter of Professor of Family and Human Development Karen Walker. Later, Osterman’s older sister, Sally (‘24), decided to attend Southern Virginia, and Osterman visited campus with her while looking into art programs and colleges.
“I was looking into professors here in the art program, and Professor of Art Brandon Gonzalez stuck out to me when I applied,” said Osterman. “That was one of my driving factors for coming—him and a couple of the other professors.”
While preparing for her freshman year and applying for university scholarships, Osterman reached out to Gonzales for advice on her art portfolio and learned that he had recently left the university. However, he gave helpful critiques on her art, expressed excitement about her abilities, and offered to explain more about his career in matte painting—painting backgrounds for live-action sets—if she was interested in learning more.
“I ended up having a phone call with him that summer because I thought, ‘Of course, I would love to talk to you about this thing I have never heard of before. It sounds like such an interesting career option.’ And at the end of that phone call, he told me that when I was interested, he would teach me about it,” Osterman said. “That was really exciting for me. And, this semester, I’m doing a Zoom internship with him.”
Osterman has also been involved in the set design of recent Theatre and Music department productions. Noticing a flyer for the university’s production of “Cinderella” seeking volunteers to paint sets, she emailed the guest director, Kim Hirt, and expressed interest in helping out.
“I had a meeting with her, and I walked out as the head of set design and painting,” Osterman said. “I ended up designing and painting the entire musical, which was crazy. I was flying by the seat of my pants, but it was so exciting.”
Previously involved in Bella Voce and Chamber Singers, Osterman recently created the artwork, hand-lettered the flyer for the university’s recent opera performance of “Suor Angelica,” painted the set pieces, and performed in the production.
“I’m in a space where I can grow in unique ways and discover different career options that I didn’t know existed,” continued Osterman. “It has been really exciting for me just because there are so many art jobs out there, and I am able to practice and learn in so many different areas before I graduate.”