As the spring semester comes to a close, art students at California Baptist University reflected on their creative growth and prepared for what would come after graduation.
Daniel Arriola, senior photography major, discovered his artistic voice during his freshman year after switching majors from architecture to photography.
During his first year, a professor who no longer works at CBU encouraged him to realize that “photography was viable,” Arriola said.
As time passed, Arriola said he continued to develop his voice with the help of his professors. Christine Smith, a photography professor, influenced the way he approached photography and how he viewed his work.
“[Christine Smith] has been impactful in the way that I think about my work and showing me different things that I could do in the field,” Arriola said.
Photography also offered opportunities beyond taking photos, including curating and setting up galleries. Arriola said he especially enjoyed photographing action and extreme sports. His senior project, “Made to Move,” captured people and the community within the Inland Empire skating industry.
After graduation, Arriola plans to work at a gallery in Riverside while continuing his job search and exploring opportunities where he could express his artistic voice.
Arriola said being part of the creative community at CBU influenced how he viewed ministry.
“You don’t need to be in ministry to have a spiritual impact on the people around you,” Arriola said.
Beyond photography, he said he hoped to reflect his faith through the way he interacted with people in his field.
Matthew Furness, senior theatre major, said the program helped him develop skills that would extend beyond college and into his professional career.
“I feel like our program really helps on not only building our skills, but our personalities and our character. I feel like I’ve grown a lot with my talent…a ton in my acting…designing, being a technician,” Furness said.
Furness said being part of the theater community also strengthened his leadership skills and sense of community. Each Tuesday, theater students gathered for worship, devotions and small group discussions.
During the past school year, Furness led a small group and said the experience deepened his personal growth.
“[It has] really filled my cup, which I didn’t realize was so empty,” Furness said.
On the technical side, Furness said he felt prepared to enter the business side of theater. Through the program, he learned skills beyond acting, including technical production and design.
Throughout his time at CBU, several professors mentored him. Ethan Park, a theater professor, helped students explore their characters more deeply during performances. Furness said Park played an important role in preparing him for the acting profession.
“My professors have been really good at opening doors on all the different aspects that we can enter…showing us different routes into the business…I feel really prepared going into this world and knowing that I have a chance to make it,” Furness said.
After graduation, Furness plans to work several summer jobs, including performing in productions, assisting with directing and working with Christian Arts and Theater. He said he also planned to apply to graduate school next year to study lighting and design.
In the meantime, he continued searching for both full-time work and theater opportunities, which are often part time. Furness said he enjoyed many aspects of theater arts, whether acting, building sets or working behind the scenes. Outside of academics, he also planned to get married in November.
Seniors in CBU’s art programs say their time at the university has helped them grow both creatively and personally as they prepared to enter a new chapter of their life after graduation.
