Goldsboro’s Victor Skinner to Showcase Work in UMO Student Art Show
April 21, 2025
Contact: Rhonda Jessup, Director of Public Relations
GOLDSBORO — University of Mount Olive senior art major Victor Isaiah Skinner of Goldsboro, NC, will have his work featured in the upcoming annual Spring Student Art Show. The show will open with a reception on Tuesday, April 29, from 4 to 6 PM in Laughinghouse Hall. The exhibit will remain open through May 2. Admission is free and open to the public.
The show will run from April 21 through May 2, featuring a wide range of student work—from first-time exhibitors to graduating seniors. It will highlight a diversity of styles, media, and perspectives, offering visitors a glimpse into the dynamic creative culture at UMO.
“To me, my projects are many things. They’re how I grieve, reflect, dream, and tell stories,” Skinner said. “Sometimes it’s dark because life can be dark. Other times, I leave things for only my friends to understand. I love to hear other people’s conjectures.”
Known for his emotionally rich and stylistically non-naturalistic approach, Skinner prefers to work across a variety of media—from expensive online finds to handmade or discovered materials. For him, the creative process is as therapeutic as it is expressive. “Instead of crying, I might paint,” he explained. “Sometimes my favorite pieces are just what quantifies how I’m feeling now. I create for the sake of creating, and once I start, I begin to open up.”
Skinner’s path to becoming an artist at UMO was not linear. He originally enrolled as an agricultural business major, but a ceramics class with Professor Frank Grubbs shifted his entire perspective. “He told me that all the things that come from earth are to return to earth. That gave me the confidence to try whatever without worrying about mistakes or trying to impress others.”
Skinner also credits the UMO art faculty for nurturing his creativity and helping him grow both technically and emotionally. “Professor Cheryl Hooks’ teachings and encouragements were always insightful. I credit all my painting work to her because she pushed me to try new things,” he said. “Professor Bob Murray’s new digital art class has sparked a new interest for me, and I plan to continue using digital media after graduation.”
Skinner also noted the wrestling team as his first meaningful community at UMO, offering support and strength during a deeply difficult time following the loss of his mother. “They were the first group that helped me stay strong,” he shared.
As Skinner prepares to graduate, his journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of art, mentorship, and community.
For more information about the Student Art Show, contact Professor Cheryl Hooks, Assistant Dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, at chooks@umo.edu.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University was founded by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
