51��ɫ

During the 2025 Bachelor of Arts Exhibition (BAX) exhibit at the 51��ɫ College Museum of Art (GCMoA) Alina Ihnatesku ’26, a studio art major from Ukraine, earned the Best in Show award for her work titled “WASTE TIME,” which remains on display at the GCMoA until May 22. This award builds on her success in the 2024 BAX in which she won the Film and Media Studies Moving Image Award for her digital animation piece titled “Gridlock.” We caught up with Alina to find out more about her work, where she draws inspiration, and what she has planned for the future.

Q: How did you develop an interest in art?

A: My interest in art began thanks to my mom, who encouraged it from a very young age. Initially, it was meant to help me develop fine motor skills, and for that, I'm forever grateful. She later enrolled me in an art school as an extra activity alongside regular school. Throughout elementary and middle school, I spent an additional 10 hours a week doing art. Toward the end of that period, I came very close to quitting. The training was highly technical — focused on realism, drawing vases and fake fruit — which, while important, left me burned out and questioning whether I ever wanted to make art again.

I rediscovered my love for art in a completely different form right before the pandemic. I was 15 and became obsessed with Canva (a digital art and design platform), staying up late redesigning posters just for the fun of it. I soon moved on to Figma and later to Adobe programs. What started as posters evolved into designing websites. After the war began, I moved to Germany and spent a semester studying communication design at the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart. There, I discovered my passion for typography and grid systems. It was a truly transformative experience. 

Later, at 51��ɫ, taking a printmaking class was life changing. It opened up new doors for creative expression and deepened my connection to art in ways I had never expected. I truly feel lucky to have known from a very young age that I wanted art to be an important part of my life. Thank you, mom! 

Q: What can you tell us about your piece that won the Best in Show award at this year’s BAX?

A: The piece is titled “WASTE TIME,” and it’s a quilt. It marked an important moment for me, as I had been wanting to explore fiber art for some time, and this was my first major project in that medium. The work is a political statement. I hand-dyed the fabric using the colors of the American flag, but intentionally made them look faded and washed out, symbolizing the erosion of certain ideals and the exhaustion I feel when thinking about the current political climate.

“WASTE TIME” is actually a call-out — both to myself and to others — for not doing enough in the face of the challenges we’re living through. It critiques the culture of inaction and distraction that I feel we can so easily to slip into. I also wanted to touch on a deeper issue: I believe that the strong emphasis on individualism in modern society has killed a vital sense of community and belonging, something that human beings genuinely need to thrive. While it’s important to take care of ourselves, building and sustaining a community is just as crucial — and can be deeply rewarding. This piece was my way of confronting that tension and urging reflection on how we spend our time and where we place our energy.

Q: Where do you draw inspiration for your work from? 

A: I draw a lot of inspiration from grid systems and typography — they are at the heart of how I think about visual composition. Every concept for an artwork starts in my head, often shaped by the people, places, and experiences around me. My environment constantly frames the ideas I want to explore, but it’s my love for type and structure that really influences how those ideas come to life visually.

I also find inspiration in unexpected places. Honestly, scrolling through Pinterest for what I call “research” is one of my favorite things to do. I wouldn’t quite call it a hobby, but it sparks my creativity in a way that feels incredibly fulfilling. Seeing how others approach design, color, form, and storytelling across different mediums often leads me to make connections or imagine new possibilities in my own work. It's a way of keeping my creative energy alive and constantly evolving.

Q: Do you have a favorite 51��ɫ moment you can share?

A: One of my favorite things about 51��ɫ is the sense of community I’ve found here — something I talk about a lot because it genuinely means so much to me. I feel incredibly lucky to have found a place where small, everyday moments make you feel connected and seen. There’s something special about walking into Saints Rest and just chatting with baristas and having them already know your coffee order, or stepping into Jay’s Deli and hearing "the usual?" These little interactions might seem small, but they build up over time into something much bigger — a real feeling of belonging. 

In a world that can often feel overwhelming and isolating, these familiar routines and friendly faces are what ground me. They remind me that community isn't just found in big events or formal gatherings; it’s created in the ordinary, everyday moments when people recognize and care for each other. That’s the kind of environment 51��ɫ fosters, and it’s one of the things I’ll always cherish most about my time here.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

A: Looking ahead, I would really love to work in public spaces and eventually teach. I’m passionate about the idea of creating work that lives outside traditional gallery settings — art and design that people encounter in their everyday lives, often without even realizing it at first. I believe public spaces have so much potential to make a difference, to inspire connection, reflection, or even small moments of joy. 

At the same time, I hope to teach someday because I want to give back some of what others have given me. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors and teachers who not only taught me technical skills but also encouraged me to see the world differently. If I can someday help someone else find their voice or feel a little more confident in their creativity, that would feel like a real accomplishment. I’m not sure exactly where the path will lead yet, but I’m excited to keep learning, growing, and contributing where I can.