Salve artist Claire Roane ’25 earns a place at the AKC Museum of the Dog

Salve artist Claire Roane '25 earns a place at the AKC Museum of the Dog

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While families across the country gathered for turkey and pie, flipping between the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and spirited NFL games, Claire Roane '25 had her sights set on something closer to her heart: the American Kennel Club's National Dog Show. For Roane, a studio art major with a concentration in illustration, this wasn't just a holiday tradition - it was the celebration of a personal milestone.

Roane's original artwork recently earned a spot in the AKC Museum of the Dog with a piece celebrating the beauty and spirit of man's best friend.

The prestigious recognition is a wonderful testament to Roane's artistic talent. It also reflects the strength of Salve Regina University's studio art program, which encourages students to explore their passions while embracing creativity and service to others.

Finding her passion

Roane's journey to Salve began with a focus on French education. However, her love for art, specifically illustration, soon led her to pivot toward the studio art major, a decision that has opened countless opportunities for her to explore her creativity.

The Department of Art and Art History quickly became more than just a program for Roane - it became a family. Guided by the mentorship of dedicated department faculty like Whiteley Foster, Susannah Strong and Jerry Perrino, she found herself immersed in an environment that nurtured her creativity and celebrated individuality.

"They really pushed me to become a better artist," shared Roane. "I was treated like a junior art student and not someone who was new to the major, which really changed my perspective and made me feel like 'I can do this.'"

One of the aspects Roane loves most about the program is its close-knit, first-name-basis culture. "It creates a sense of equality and collaboration," explained Roane. "It's a great community. You feel like your professors truly see you as an artist, not just a student." This dynamic allowed Roane to develop not only her technical skills but also her confidence as an artist, knowing that her professors were as invested in her growth as she was.

This unique atmosphere of trust and connection among faculty and students helped Roane flourish in her new path, providing her with the guidance and encouragement she needed to succeed - not only in the classroom but in selective competitions like the AKC Museum of the Dog's art contest.

"The community here makes all the difference," she said.

A winning combination: art and animals

Roane's passion for animals and her artistic abilities came together in her submission to the AKC Museum of the Dog's annual art competition, with the prompt of this year's competition being "dogs in winter." Her piece, which portrays her dog, Bunny, catching snowflakes on her tongue, was selected for exhibition in the museum, an honor that places her among an elite group of artists from around the country.

"The inspiration came from a photo," said Roane. "I've always loved animals and have grown up with dogs, so I really wanted to capture the whimsical feeling of them playing in snow."

For her piece, Roane used Procreate on her iPad - a departure from her preferred traditional mediums. Roane admits that creating digitally doesn't come as naturally to her. "I'm not a big fan of digital artwork," she shared, emphasizing her love for the tactile experience of sketching and painting. "I really enjoy working with watercolor and ink and being able to flip through a sketchbook and feel the texture of the pages."

Despite the challenge, Roane found a way to translate her artistic vision into the digital realm, with her piece cleverly combing techniques. The snowflakes and Bunny are rendered in a pencil-style brush, while the surrounding snow uses Procreate's watercolor tools to mimic the softness of snow.

Though she missed the tactile feedback of physical mediums, Roane appreciated the flexibility of the digital process, including the ever-handy undo button.

The AKC Museum of the Dog, located in New York City, preserves, interprets and celebrates the role of dogs in society and educates the public about the human-canine bond through its collection of art and exhibits that inspire engagement with dogs.

Roane's artwork, with its striking detail and emotional depth, stood out among the submissions.

"It was surreal to see my work on display," Roane said. "Knowing that something I created is being appreciated on display is incredibly fulfilling."

Fostering service through creativity

For Roane, service is both a value and a way of life, deeply intertwined with her artistic endeavors. Her time at the University has offered her countless opportunities to connect her creative talents with her passion for helping others.

Roane's love for animals shines through in her volunteer work at The Potter League in Middletown, Rhode Island, and local shelters back home in Westchester, New York, where she spends time caring for rescue dogs and helping them find their forever homes. These experiences fuel her passion for animal advocacy and inspire her artwork.

"Salve's mercy mission really drives me" she said. "I can do the things I enjoy while also helping others - it makes me feel so good."

In addition to her work with animals, Roane is a dedicated peer mentor at Salve. She takes pride in supporting younger students as they navigate the challenges of honing their craft. "I always tell my students that service may seem like something you have to do, but it can be something really rewarding," shared Roane.

"The more you participate in the local community at Salve, the more fun your college experience will be."

A future of connection

As she continues her journey at Salve, Roane is excited to further develop her artistic skills and explore new projects. She is also considering how to merge her love for animals with her art in future endeavors, potentially through nonprofit work or illustration.

"Salve has given me so many opportunities to grow - not just as an artist, but as a person," Roane said. "I feel prepared to take on whatever comes next because of the support and inspiration I've found here."

With her artwork having hung in the AKC Museum of the Dog, Roane is already making her mark. This holiday season, her story serves as a reminder of the power of passion, creativity and service - and the way these elements come together at Salve Regina University.