Student artwork is regularly on display throughout the Reed Campus Center, while the Grubbs Gallery typically displays a professional artist’s portfolio or project. But to end the 2024-25 academic year, Oscar Cui ’25 was invited by the art department to display his paintings in the Grubbs Gallery and host an artist reception.
Cui, a four-year boarding student from China, has been painting and exploring colors since he was a toddler, but found a passion for painting during his time at Williston. In his senior year, he took AP Studio Art and a Williston Scholars class focused on painting—with the results of both classes now up in Grubbs Gallery for everyone to look at.
“It’s very exciting to have this exhibit,” Cui said. “It’s been my whole year of work, so I’ve been painting a lot—almost every day. I tried out a lot of styles, so I was worried about the works feeling abrupt when I put them together—but actually, it has worked out really well, and I’m very proud of myself.”
The various works showcase the range of styles Cui has tried during his studies. Works that involve texture are his favorite, including a massive 42-by-32-inch painting of an ocean wave. Cui describes himself as a fast painter, but noted that through his studies, he was able to learn to slow down more.
“I like to rush the process, so I like to paint quickly,” Cui said. “Sometimes I have to stand up with a big canvas that helps me express my feelings a little more than sitting at a desk with a small painting. I learned that throughout the process, and all my teachers are super helpful.”
Cui praised the teaching that Natania Hume, Department Chair for the Visual & Performing Arts Department, Wendy Staples, and Ed Hing gave him throughout the past year.
“Ms. Hume helped me a lot with my coloring and color balance, and Ms. Staples helped me understand more about the shapes of the subject. And Mr. Hing is a photography genius, so he helped me think about composition and balance. That definitely helped me improve a lot.”
For his artist show, Cui said that seeing Head of School Robert Hill and his wife, Kathryn Hill, as the first visitors made him nervous, but that they also helped him settle in.
“They came early,” Cui said with a laugh,” and that got me a little nervous. But after them, I got used to talking with random guests. Having the chance to talk about my experience as a painter was definitely something unique and special.”
Cui and the rest of the Williston Scholars classmates will showcase their works on May 22, while Cui’s artwork will remain up in the Grubbs Gallery until he graduates on May 24. To learn more about Williston Northampton’s art program, click here.
