Applied Learning Shapes Art Major’s Creative Journey

Through internships, exhibition work, and multidisciplinary art practices, Skylar Miller explores creativity as a meditative and communal experience.

Skylar Miller is an EWU art major fascinated by the art of making art. Her work spans various forms, including painting, sculpture, woodworking, knitting, weaving, and embroidery. She is drawn to the tactile, hands-on nature of these practices, which allow her to explore texture, repetition, and process.

Rather than focusing solely on the finished product, Miller is especially interested in what happens during the act of creation.

“While the final product is often a goal, for me, there is much importance in the art of making art,” Miller says. “Though it is difficult to capture in a piece, my work seeks to explore that beautiful and meditative process that leads to a finished work of art.”

Beyond her studio practice, Miller also serves as a gallery intern and social media intern for the EWU Art Program. Her gallery internship has been a valuable applied learning experience, enhancing her understanding and appreciation of the art world. In her role as social media intern, she helps highlight the voices and work of the art community across digital platforms.

Through her internships, Miller has gained helpful insights into exhibition curation, art installation, and the logistics of running a gallery. These opportunities have also allowed her to observe and participate in the collaborative processes that bring art to the public, aligning closely with her career interests.

Miller’s final exhibition, “The Art of Making Art,” reflects her belief that the most meaningful part of artmaking is the process itself—the repetition, experimentation, and moments of discovery.

As she prepared for the exhibition, Miller emphasized the importance of community, both among people who already make art and among those who may benefit simply from beginning. Her work explores where she fits within that community and how art can bring people together.