Emeryn Sinclair regularly shares her art with family members. But this December, many more people will be able to appreciate her talent now that her work has been chosen to grace the cover of the 2024 holiday card distributed by Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns. Ms. Sinclair’s festive design features the iconic statue of Beneficence engaging with a cardinal in her palm against the backdrop of twinkling lights and a gentle snowfall.
Ms. Sinclair is a senior from New Palestine, Ind., and she was chosen to create the card by Andy Beane, one of her professors who teaches in the School of Art.
“Emeryn has been a top student in every animation course since starting in our animation major,” Mr. Beane said. “When considering candidates for this project, I consulted multiple animation faculty members, and every recommendation began with her.”
Traditionally, President Mearns selects campus photographs—wintry scenes of Beneficence, Bracken House, and Frog Baby, for example—for his annual holiday card. This year, he wanted to try something different.
“We have such talented students studying in our School of Art,” he said. “I thought this opportunity would be a great way to provide one of them with some valuable real-world experience. In return, I’ve enjoyed getting to know Emeryn as part of the process.”
At first, Ms. Sinclair thought she was creating a holiday card for the School of Art. It was a surprise to discover she would be working with President Mearns.
President Mearns listens as student Emeryn Sinclair shares her design ideas for his 2024 holiday card during a meeting in his office on Nov. 1, 2024. Professor Andy Beane (far right), who recommended Ms. Sinclair for the project, also attended the meeting.
“I was excited and apprehensive, but honored to be extended such an opportunity,” she said. “I couldn’t wait to get started.”
After a few weeks, Ms. Sinclair was invited to present her initial concepts to President Mearns. One of her concepts—a self-described Night at the Museum situation, where Beneficence, a cardinal, and statues from the David Owsley Museum of Art host a holiday party—she cut because the design was too busy. But the rest of the concepts she was pleased with, and so was President Mearns.
“Emeryn ended up capturing the spirit of Beneficence in her playful design,” he said. “She also found clever ways to incorporate other aspects of our brand into a card that I am now proud to share with our University community.”
Click image to download coloring page.
Ms. Sinclair estimates she spent approximately 35 hours on the project: nine hours on her initial concepts, and the rest of the time perfecting the President’s final selection. She made further use of her digital and creative skills by creating a downloadable coloring page of the card and by animating a version that will be disseminated via email and social media.
Ms. Sinclair said working with President Mearns was a tremendous learning opportunity that made her feel more confident about her work.
“I didn’t know what to expect when we first met, and I was more than a little nervous, but I felt welcomed from the moment we shook hands,” she said. “He gave me such warm and constructive feedback.”
Currently, Ms. Sinclair is one of 296 students majoring in the University’s animation program, which has nearly doubled since 2019. After she graduates, she said her dream job would be to work as a concept artist for film productions.
“Beyond that, I would love to create my own series of graphic novels,” she added.
