Sterling College senior Acacia Haspels has a heart for many things – Africa, soccer, her faith, and her art. Haspels grew up in Nairobi, Kenya but has deep roots in Kansas. She is, in fact, one of very few fifth-generation students Sterling College has ever had. Haspels’ senior art show entitled “Plydars” will be on display through May 5 at the Sterling College Art Center Gallery, 306 West Washington, Sterling. 

Haspels grew up as a “Missionary Kid” in Kenya. Her father and grandparents are Sterling College alumni and also have been missionaries in Africa. She came to Sterling College through the family line but also to play soccer. 

Haspels became an art education major at Sterling College. She said, “I have loved art since forever and I have no idea when it started. But I had an amazing art teacher at Rift Valley Academy (boarding school in Kenya) who inspired me to become an art teacher.”

Haspels’ art show is called “Plydars” which in Latin roots means ply (gates/portal) da (learn) ars (art). She said, “The idea is that you are going on a journey through different fantasy worlds to learn art and life lessons. Each piece has a railroad that leads to a portal which leads to another piece.”

Her senior show has a total of 20 art pieces from 10 different art media including digital, oil, watercolor, ceramics, mixed media, among others. Haspels said, “I've learned a lot of new media that now I enjoy a great deal - like printmaking, oil painting, digital art and more. Now, I have a lot more on my ‘book’ that I can teach to others in the future.”

One thing Haspels has learned during her time at Sterling is that “art takes time.” She estimates it takes about 30 hours to create one piece of art. So, she has put in about 600 hours in creating the work for her show – all in this semester. 

Haspels’ favorite piece in her show is a pen and ink work entitled “Overwhelming.” Pen and ink is her favorite media. She titled the piece “Overwhelming” because she wanted to depict that feeling of being overwhelmed on the journey yet needing endurance to reach the destination. 

“Memories of Tradition” is Haspels’ most challenging work in her show. It is composed of five pieces of ceramics: three pots, one plate, and one sculpted piece. The work is done in a Korean pottery style using porcelain clay which she finds more difficult to sculpt with.

Libby Reimer, Sterling College art faculty, said, “Acacia is one of the best and most well-rounded students I have worked with. She has a terrific work ethic and is not afraid to try new things. She will represent the Sterling College art program well in Kansas and in her world experience.”

Haspels received the Art Leadership Award as well as Best of Show in last year’s student art exhibition. Her work was also chosen to be included in this year’s Prairie Art Exhibition. She feels she has grown in many ways during her time at Sterling College including through her art and soccer as well as academics and in her faith. 

Haspels will be student teaching in Buhler this fall and plans to teach in Kansas for several years before returning to Kenya to teach. 

“I love seeing when kids improve their art or find a media that really sticks with them and gets them excited. I'm looking forward to seeing that connection between student and media in the coming years while I teach,” Haspels said.

Plydars art show is open to the public free of charge from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. each weekday until May 5. 

Sterling College is a Christ-centered, four-year college located in Sterling, Kansas, with a mission to develop creative and thoughtful leaders who understand a maturing Christian faith. For more information, visit www.sterling.edu.