Senior Spotlight: Hannah Dalzell
Hannah Dalzell (Photo submitted)
By Britney Brunache, Arts and Entertainment Editor
Hannah Dalzell ‘20, is a senior in the Studio Art Department as well as a Psychology double major. Dalzell, who hails from from Bethesda, Maryland, says she always loved art. Although she doesn’t have a specific theme for her art capstone, she plans to “create a bunch of paintings using oil paint and canvas.”
She says simply, “I’m going to paint whatever I feel like painting. Some of them may relate to one another or convey some profound meaning, but some of them may not do that at all. I want to show people that art can be whatever the artist wants it to be.”
When asked why Gettysburg was the right school for her she said, “They had everything I needed here. I didn’t want a large college campus and I wanted small classrooms… They also had Japanese, Psychology, and studio art courses (including ceramics) which I couldn’t live without.”
A common decision that students pursuing an art degree face is whether or not to add a second major that will help them find a job after graduation. Dalzell says, “I chose to double major in this and psychology because I was afraid of being ‘just an art major.’ I was afraid of being made fun of and not being able to find a lucrative, self-sustaining job after college. I have no intention of being an art therapist, and I am sick of people asking me that question. However, I will finish the psych major since I have already put in the work for it.”
Dalzell also had a lot of support from faculty when it came to her art career. She mentions that “Professor Goubet basically told me to follow my dreams and do something that really made me happy. Professor Warwick provided me with materials that I needed whenever I proposed an idea for a project. Professor Gross also encouraged me to apply to graduate school for art. They coached me on how to create a good portfolio and artist statement.” She is thankful for her psychology advisor for encouraging her to pursue an art career.
On campus, she worked as an Admissions Ambassador for the college. Through this, she has lunch with prospective students and answers questions they may have about the college. In her free time she hangs out with friends, makes art, and plays video and computer games. After college, she will be working as a preschool art teacher but also plans on being an art instructor for any age group.
