Meet Art Student Shawn Witherspoon

The following is a guest blog post by Kirtland art student Shawn Witherspoon

Hello. My name is Shawn Witherspoon and I am currently an art student here at Kirtland Community College. I have lived in Roscommon since 2007 and there is no place I would rather call home. I have many siblings, 10 between my two parents as well as a cat and dog, Kenny and Clyde. I love making art of all kinds, but fell in love with music first. I am in two bands and make music with them to this day. Music is not the only way I create art; Kirtland has inspired me to pursue new kinds of art. 

My journey with Kirtland

Kirtland is a school of opportunity and in my time here I have experienced the opportunities firsthand. I started at Kirtland in high school with dual enrollment English classes and an introduction to American government course. After that, I took 3-D design, which is where I really decided Kirtland was the school for me. I chose to pursue a degree in business management and while doing so became a lab aide in the art department. It was during this time I found my love for the arts, and more specifically, photography.

Since starting at Kirtland, I have finished my business degree and have been able to represent Kirtland at various functions like teaching photography at the 8th grade exploration days. Having finished my business degree I have decided to chase my dreams of becoming a photographer and Kirtland is the reason for that. 

My future with artwork 

I am projected to graduate with my art degree in the spring of 2021 and plan on continuing my education in Grand Rapids, hopefully starting my own business. I want to find new opportunities and get out of my small-town northern Michigan comfort zone. 

I began taking photos in the 2018 fall semester with a camera that was loaned from the college. Without that being available to me back then, I would not be where I am today. With these resources afforded to me by Kirtland, I have found my dream and have been able to grow my skills. 

Shawn Witherspoon is a Roscommon native. He fell in love with Kirtland during his time as a dual enrolled high school senior. Since starting at Kirtland, he has earned his associate degree in business administration and is currently pursuing his art degree.

Shawn’s first love was creating music, but his time at Kirtland opened his eyes to the arts as he began channeling his creativity through photography. He is involved in the local artist community and entered his first art competition in Fall 2020, showcasing “Bittersweet Symphony” in the Great Northern Art Explosion. Watch our recap of the Great Northern Art Explosion to see Shawn (0:22 seconds in).