Alumna's art captures plaza dedication

When alumna Kayleigh Riker graduated in 2024, her intention was to use her degree, in part, for painting event portraits, typically at wedding ceremonies. But when an invitation to capture the historic moment of the Major General James E. Livingston Plaza dedication, she accepted, and her artwork has become part of University of North Georgia (UNG) history.

The Nov. 3 dedication of the plaza honored retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston, an alumnus who is one of only 61 living Medal of Honor recipients.

"It was definitely a very different painting than normal because it included the Drill Field, the cadets in formation, and then there were more people in the plaza and buildings. It included a lot of dimensions, and it was a lot more technical," Riker said. "The wedding paintings that I normally do include just the bride and the groom."

Meetings between Riker and Karen Andrews, director of University Events at UNG, who contracted Riker for the portrait, included a great deal of discussion regarding all the elements that needed to be included. Riker said she explained to Andrews that people would be standing in different places so shadows would be more complex in size, positioning and proportion.

Riker said she's happy to add this type of event to her portfolio.

"I started doing these event paintings because of my art degree, which required a variety of classes including photography and pottery. I even learned how to weld and do woodwork," Riker said. "Through all these different experiences and because I had been doing wedding photography since COVID ended, I realized I was already in this clientele space."

Riker said engagement with event attendees is another enjoyable part of her event paintings.  

"It's fun. I think they feel as if they are intruding on my time painting, but that's part of why people like to hire painters at an event. It's another type of involvement. People can see how the process is going," Riker said. "I love it when people talk to me. It's always sweet and encouraging."

The piece is 24 inches by 18 inches and is framed with wood from downed UNG trees at the Dahlonega Campus. President Michael Shannon will present the piece to Livingston at a date to be determined.

Riker is from Buford, Georgia, and has Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual arts with a concentration in painting and drawing.  

“Kayleigh is a dedicated and proactive artist. In my time working with her in classes and mentoring her through her capstone, Kayleigh is someone who actively seeks learning, she sets goals, and she follows through with what she sets out to do.  She does this all with positivity and professionalism,” Erin McIntosh, associate professor of art, said.