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Magical Happenings<br />
By Selena Clingan<br />
A phenomenon is “a fact or situation that is observed<br />
to exist or happen, especially one whose cause or<br />
explanation is in question.” (Wikipedia) A<br />
phenomenon can stimulate reflection and leave a<br />
person feeling humbled by the experience. Aleisha<br />
Prather has a rather unique way of creating a<br />
phenomenon with her artwork. Aleisha encouraged<br />
her guests at “Magical Happenings” to view her<br />
artwork wearing a pair of aurora lenses. The lenses<br />
add an element to her art pieces only visible with the<br />
aurora lenses on. Prather states “The purpose of my<br />
artwork is to not only entertain my viewer visually but<br />
also by physically transcending them into a fantasy<br />
world to ignite inspiration and imagination. I use 90%<br />
reclaimed materials, repurposed from lost or<br />
abandoned woods in order to create magically inspired<br />
creations. Time is the most valuable material I use<br />
within my artwork. Searching and working with natural<br />
materials is by far the most challenging aspect of my<br />
medium; however the results are the most rewarding.”<br />
Prather scouts for reclaimed/repurposed materials and<br />
states “I like to take things that others see no life in<br />
anymore and bring life back to that piece while it is still<br />
here.”<br />
from USF in Fall <strong>2017</strong>. “Magical Happenings”, which<br />
debuted April 8, <strong>2017</strong>, is Prather’s first solo show at<br />
USF. Prather created “Magical Happenings” with the<br />
intent to draw in new clients and help fund her<br />
upcoming summer semester in Paris (May 31st<br />
through July 6th, <strong>2017</strong>).<br />
is an advanced art student at The<br />
University of South Florida (USF). USF is a sand<br />
castle in the Tampa Bay community that is treasured<br />
by residents for their outstanding academic<br />
achievements nationally. Prather takes pride in being<br />
a student at USF and is on the rise with notoriety for<br />
her artwork around Tampa Bay. Prather is an<br />
inspiring artist and teacher preparing to graduate<br />
Prather is more than excited about the opportunity<br />
to walk in the footsteps of artists such as Leonardo<br />
Da Vinci, Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh and visit<br />
the world’s capital of art. Prather created a Go Fund<br />
Me account (https://www.gofundme.com/aleishasgoing-to-paris-and-venice)<br />
to raise funds for her<br />
studies in Paris this summer and says “This program<br />
provides an opportunity for the irreplaceable<br />
experience of intercultural travel—exposing me to<br />
the monumental aspects that Paris has to offer,<br />
including exploration of its museums, galleries,<br />
architecture, streets, parks and culture. Paris is the<br />
20 BUZZ Magazine May-June <strong>2017</strong>
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