Graduating Art Student Emily White Tousley Answers Questions About Her Time at BYU
Q: What was your favorite project you worked on as a student?
White Tousley: My favorite student project was one that I started while doing the art Summer Intensive Program in 2023. It was a time when I felt like I was staring at a blank canvas without the slightest idea of what it should yield. All I could do was the next thing that felt right, even if I had no idea where it was going. I took photos of my grandpa’s farm because it felt like a well of inspiration from which I could draw. After poring over the photos, I found some semblance of something worth pursuing, but still no answers. I itched to make something in clay, but that felt absurd after spending so much time on a photo project that hadn’t yielded much.
Still feeling like I was fumbling around in the dark, I went to the ceramics studio and started making something. Once I had clay in my fingers, I began to have an idea that connected my photos to potential sculptures and like a bright sparkling miracle, I found inspiration again. It was a significant shift in my direction as an artist, but it finally felt true to me. The project itself had to do with distortions of perspective and distortions of reality from one person to another. It showed me the benefits of engaging in a creative wrestle and I look back on that experience fondly because it taught me how important that kind of wrestle is.
Q: How has art increased your capacity to serve others?
White Tousley: The perspective art has brought me has increased my capacity to serve others. Art can break down walls between people and remind us that there is more to life than meets the eye. It makes me think about what a magical thing it is to be alive and what a priceless experience it is to share space with another living being. The human experience is endlessly complicated and art endeavors to explore every facet of it. Studying art has increased my capacity for empathy, desire, and ability to do my part to strengthen my fellow human beings.
Q: What initially drew you to the world of art and how has your perspective evolved during your time at BYU?
White Tousley: Growing up, my parents encouraged us to make art and practice creativity in any way possible. I was studying psychology at BYU-Hawaii when I first started school, but every time I met an art major, I thought, “Gosh, I wish I was doing that!” The only other time I felt that way was when I was in class with my professors. I wanted to be part of teaching and learning forever.
At some point, I looked inside myself and thought, if this is what I really want, I should probably do it. After some people I trusted strongly recommended BYU-Provo’s art program, I decided to take a leap of faith and transfer. Once I did, I discovered that BYU offers a BFA and licensure program allowing you to become a licensed art teacher. As soon as I heard about it, that sounded like the right thing for me and I pursued that path without deviation until it brought me here. I won’t lie; it hasn’t been easy, but it has been immensely rewarding, and I have never regretted it, even for a moment.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to current students?
White Tousley: I would advise current students of BYU to be present. If you can make the most of what you have now, it will carry you into the future.
Q: As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
White Tousley: As a kid, I wanted to grow up to be something different practically every day. But one thing is for sure: I wanted to create. I plan to continue to do so for the rest of my life.
Q: What is your favorite building on campus?
White Tousley: My favorite building on campus is B66. It's old and weird and dusty, but everyone is always making magical things, and whenever I walk in, I can’t help but feel excited about new possibilities.