Eastern Student Nicholas Khan of Willimantic Presents at Northeast COPLAC Conference

2016 Oct 27

Twelve students from Eastern Connecticut State University presented their research and creative activity at the Northeast Regional Research Conference of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) on Oct. 21-22. Hosted by the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), eight colleges in the COPLAC consortium participated in the undergraduate conference.

Nicholas Khan '17, a Visual Arts major from Willimantic, presented artwork titled "Self Portrait with a Sable Scarf," an acrylic-on-canvas painting. Khan was mentored by Art Professor William Jones.

"The portrait is a frontal view that relies on light and shadow to create complexity and depth within the piece," said Khan. "It relies on the subtleties and details, rather than the number of objects, to capture the expression of the subject. The cropped figure and the simplicity of the background are inspired by self-portraits of Durer and Rembrandt. The painting was created from life, drawn studies, and photographs. In the portrait, the medium of acrylic has been used in a manner similar to that of oil paint."

"We are here to showcase and celebrate the talent, insight, collaborative spirit and inquiry of students from our COPLAC campuses in the Northeast and to recognize the support and guidance they receive from their dedicated faculty," said MCLA President James Birge.

"Undergraduate research is one of the best aspects of an Eastern liberal arts education," said Carmen Cid, dean of Eastern's School of Arts and Sciences. "It provides our students the ability to develop their talents in a meaningful and successful career path. Those who present at COPLAC represent the leaders of tomorrow for Connecticut."

Established in 1987, COPLAC is dedicated to the advancement of high-quality liberal arts education in a public college setting. COPLAC represents a distinguished sector in higher education consisting of 30 colleges and universities in 28 states and one Canadian province. Eastern is Connecticut's designated public liberal arts university and joined COPLAC in 2004.