SupportJohn Tronsor
Though he is still a year from graduating, John Tronsor (A&S ’08) has already established himself as a serious, award-winning artist. The native of Lancaster, Pa., who is double majoring in Philosophy and Studio Arts, has been recognized twice with departmental honors for “achieving high standards in his class through demonstrated effort and proficiency.” This spring, he was selected by The Anita Shapolsky Art Foundation to have his installation piece (untitled) featured in the summer 2007 exhibit by the Young Pennsylvania Artists titled "The Innovation Generation,” which highlights the work of 17 artists age 28 and younger.
The Young Pennsylvania Artists honor came as a surprise to Tronsor, who had seen a flier about the competition but waited until the last possible day to submit his entry application. Perhaps that is because his primary concern and commitment are to the creation of the art itself.
“I spent about a month and a half working on that piece in three different stages,” says Tronsor. “I try to plan things out visually as much as possible before starting, and sometimes, as part of that process, the original concept evolves.”
Tronsor himself has evolved since beginning his college career at Northeastern University. Originally a music industry major, Tronsor transferred to Pitt knowing that he wanted to study art but unsure how that desire would take shape. He credits a Foundation Sculpture class with Department Chair Delanie Jenkins with inspiring his concentrate in sculpture.
As the winner of a $3,000 Brackenridge Summer Research Fellowship, Tronsor will continue his work with Jenkins during the next few months as he writes a proposal to Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum for the creation of an installation piece.
“I’m thinking of setting up a camera and creating a kiosk where people can then purchase photographs of themselves looking at art,” explains Tronsor.
If his successes to date continue, this young artist has the potential to change the way that people look at art for a long time to come.