Corinne Sonderegger
Through Clouds and Peaks
Submitter Statement:
My journey as an artist and art educator has been profoundly shaped by my time at BYU. Every year I work with over 500 students, helping them discover their own creative light and appreciation for art. BYU gave me the foundation to teach and even took me abroad to study art in Europe—a core memory that instilled a lifelong passion for global exploration and cultural appreciation, something I now pass on to my students. Interestingly, some of my most valuable art lessons didn’t come from a classroom—or from prancing around Europe with gelato while admiring the Mona Lisa—but from my student job at the Bean Life Science Museum. There, I worked as an illustrator, painting Utah landscapes for the exhibits. When I applied, I lacked the refined skills the job required. Yet Randy (my boss), saw potential and miraculously took a chance on me. He became one of my greatest mentors, teaching me not only invaluable painting techniques that shaped my artistic voice but also patience, perseverance, and kindness. When I struggled or felt frustrated, he encouraged me to keep going. He helped me grow my artistic light even when I saw it as dim. Because of that experience, I can now capture and share the beauty of my own community, as seen in this painting of Heber Valley, a place close to my heart. It is a reflection of how BYU helped me grow as both an artist and educator, spreading creativity and appreciation for art in my community. Today, I strive to pass on Randy’s lessons to my own students, helping them refine their own creative beacon of light. Sometimes, I return to the Bean Museum and see my old work—my own small mark on BYU and a reminder of how far I’ve come.
Entry Description:
oil painting on canvas, 24x30 inches.
Heber Valley is special to me—not only for its subliminal beauty but also because much of my family lives here. It’s a connection to my heritage, Midway’s Swiss influence makes it feel even more like home. It’s a reminder of God’s hand in creation, and how he shaped the world just for us. The light shining through the clouds is much like our own beacons of light—shifting, evolving, and illuminating the world around us. Through this painting, I sought to capture not just a landscape, but a feeling—one of home, reflection, and gratitude.