Casey King, from Hammond, is graduating in May with a degree in fine art. He also paints large murals and makes 14-foot forks. More about that in a moment.

Beginning his college career in the art and design program at Chicago’s Columbia College, King transferred to Indiana University Northwest’s School of the Arts in 2017.

“I was lucky to experience the new Arts & Sciences Building in my first semester,” King said. “Fine arts students get their own studios to work in, and this was not a leisure I was afforded while attending school in Chicago.”

As a working artist, King balanced a busy class schedule with his true passion. “Art is my sole income,” King explained. “I’m an exhibiting artist, operate a webstore, and accept commission-based projects.”

Now, about that big fork: King sculpts, too. “I made a 14-foot fork last year for the 25th anniversary of Whiting’s Pierogi Fest.” King’s art has also been selected for Chancellor William J. Lowe’s annual holiday card, a coveted honor for Fine Arts students–twice. And, his back-entrance mural for The Sweet Tooth in Munster earned the town's beautification award.

During his senior year, King became very involved in student life, as president of the art-focused club The Artists Collective. “We organized the first ever Holiday Pop-Up Market,” King said. “Students, faculty and staff set up booths to sell their creations, and every vendor managed to sell something–some for the first time.”

Grateful for his time as a student, King is naturally excited to earn his degree and focus on his career. “I have learned something valuable from each and every professor I have had the pleasure of receiving instruction from at IU Northwest,” King said, “and I truly believe you get what you put into your degree and even more importantly, what you put forth outside of the classroom.”

In the years to come, King would like to focus on fashioning storybooks from his drawings. “I’m excited to keep creating, telling stories, traveling and sharing my work with the world.”