Meet Mable Ni ’24 – A Rising Star In Printmaking
Written by Amanda Mathis
From her early days as a music enthusiast to her current status as a rising star in printmaking, Mable Ni’s journey is a testament to her versatility and dedication. Her artistic prowess has left an indelible mark at Converse University.
“Mable Ni is literally THE most impressive printmaking student I have ever worked with at Converse!” said Professor Andrew Blanchard.
Dedication to her craft was evident even in Mable’s teenage years, as she visited Converse while participating in the Spartanburg Youth Orchestra. When the pandemic hit, she decided to stay close to home and pursue a Studio Arts degree at Converse University, a testament to her unwavering commitment to her passion.
“At Converse, I was able to explore and refine my artistic vision, and I learned more about what I wanted to do in life.”
Mable Ni ’24
Mable’s decision to pursue the Studio Art program was a natural progression of her love for music and art. She chose Converse for its renowned art program, which she credits with helping her turn her passions into a career. “At Converse, I was able to explore and refine my artistic vision, and I learned more about what I wanted to do in life,” she reflects.
A humble student, Mable has produced substantial work since starting the printmaking studio sequence. Mable began her professional art career even before graduating. She quickly transformed from an aspiring artist to seeing her art exhibited in galleries throughout the United States. Mable has amassed over 20 exhibitions and a plethora of national publications and awards, such as the Full Court Press Juried Print Exhibition of the Americas, The Art Center in Corpus Christi, TX, and 4th Annual Juried Exhibition, Artists Collective in Spartanburg, earning the accolades of Juror Ryan Roth, just to name a few.
“At Converse, you can create what you want,” Mable said of her experience here. “The class sizes provide an intimate setting and an effective way to start your art career.” She said Converse’s “Creativity that Works” initiative helped her prepare for the working world as well. “The faculty really went the extra mile in helping me reach the goals I set for myself in my artist’s journey. Professionals in the field are invited to perform and display their artworks, allowing students to engage with them and get a sense of how the professional sphere will be.”
Mable said her knowledge of the different art mediums flourished thanks to the hands-on approach Converse offered, which resulted from the professors’ willingness to extend help beyond the classroom. One example was frame building and how professors offered to teach their students how to create frames so their work looked professional, even though it was not part of their coursework. Mable’s most recent work, “Have you eaten?” inspired by her family-owned restaurant, is on display at Converse’s Milliken Art Gallery in the most recent student exhibit.
Mable’s success is not just a result of her talent and hard work but also the guidance and support she received from her mentors, Adjunct Cello Instructor Kathleen Foster, and especially Professor Andrew Blanchard. Mable’s gratitude towards them is evident as she credits Blanchard for his significant role in her senior year, from inviting her to shows to introducing her to other artists in the area. “The Art Department has been a wonderful developmental environment for my skills and my technique that I believe all aspiring artists would benefit from,” she shared.
“The [Converse] Art Department has been a wonderful developmental environment for my skills and my technique that I believe all aspiring artists would benefit from.’
Mable Ni ’24
Her work has caught the eye of not one but two graduate programs—Louisiana State University and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville—that offered Mable full-ride scholarships. “I selected UT because I liked the program and the campus environment,” she said of her upcoming move this fall.
“Mable is so impressive that the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, the #3 MFA Printmaking program in the U.S., awarded her a teaching assistantship and the Hodge Fellowship,” said Blanchard. “This achievement would still be extremely impressive in and of itself; however, Mable accrued these accolades all the while being president of the Converse Art Society, a cellist on the Converse Symphony Orchestra, and a talented sushi chef at Wasabi, Spartanburg. Mable is quite the Valkyrie… she slayed 580 East Main!”
You can follow Mable’s work through her social media account, @mableniart. To learn more about Converse University’s Department of Art, Design & Letters, visit the website or request a campus tour.
Top image by Mable Ni ’24