“I wasn’t sure how my artistic practice and research could intersect, but my time at FSU has shown me how fulfilling the process can be.”
- Pets: Has a pet snake named Pierre
- First Concert: Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
- Favorite FSU Memory: Watching the eclipse on Landis Green in 2024
- Diver: Is a certified scuba diver
- Favorite Food: Fried zucchini flowers
Florida State University’s Nicolina Morra is a motivated artist dedicated to exploring the connection between society and art through her research and community service experience.
As a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) student focusing on painting and printmaking in the College of Fine Arts, Morra blends traditional and contemporary techniques. Her work and research emphasize art’s role in addressing societal issues, reflecting her commitment to using art as a tool for social commentary and community engagement.
During her semester abroad in Florence, Italy, Morra interned at the Il Bisonte Foundation, an Italian art foundation and international printmaking school founded in 1959.
At the Gadsden Art Center and Museum, she co-curated an exhibit called “Bite From the Apple,” which displayed the work of her fellow BFA students. Through this, she grew her experience as a curator and helped her peers to build their artistic confidence.
Morra has also been involved with the College Leadership Council for the College of Fine Arts (CFA), during which she learned the importance of collaboration and advocacy within the arts through projects such as the annual creation of SIX Magazine.
Morra earned an IDEA Grant to support her Honors in the Major thesis research, which explored the impact of societal threats on the individual. Based on interviews she conducted, she created a series of oil paintings that reflected both the individual’s personal identity and societal pressures by displaying the contents of a handbag.
Why did you choose to attend Florida State University?
I chose Florida State University because of its Bachelor of Fine Arts Studio Art program, which stood out among other R1 universities. Opportunities like personal art studios, gallery exhibitions and faculty reviews are some of the aspects of the BFA program at FSU that drew me in. I believe a dedicated studio practice is essential for any artist because it offers a vital space for creative exploration and focus. The Carnaghi Arts Building, where each BFA Studio Art student has their own studio, has been the most valuable resource of the program for me. In this space, I develop ideas, experiment with materials and bring my paintings to life.
How have you combined your artistic and academic pursuits through research?
I wasn’t sure how my artistic practice and research could intersect, but my time at FSU has shown me how fulfilling the process can be. Last spring, I was awarded an IDEA Grant to support my Honors in the Major thesis, which allows any major to create an original, independent research project. My thesis is a series of oil paintings, informed by interviews, that explores how the contents of handbags form a material portrait that balances personal identity and protection in the face of societal threats. I used convenience sampling, interviewing friends interested in the project and who related to its themes. Through these conversations, I explored how their handbags reflected personal identity and societal pressures. I translated their insights into a series of oil paintings, blending hyperrealism with surrealist elements to highlight the complex relationship between identity, safety and the roles these everyday objects play in their lives.
How have you been involved in the wider community?
During my time at FSU, I have exhibited my paintings at Thomasville Center for the Arts, Gadsden Arts Center and Museum and most recently at La Luz de Jesus Gallery in Los Angeles. I have also been part of the College Leadership Council for the College of Fine Arts, which is made up of graduate and undergraduate representatives from the college who encourage interdisciplinary communication and artistic collaboration through events and the annual creation of SIX Magazine. Serving on the College Leadership Council taught me the value of collaboration and advocacy within the arts community and helped me grow as a leader. Exhibiting my work has been equally impactful, as it deepened my understanding of how art connects people and evokes conversation. Both experiences have reinforced my confidence in art’s ability to inspire change and foster empathy, while also teaching me the importance of vulnerability in sharing my creative voice.
How have you witnessed art impacting a community?
Through my internship under Professor Carrie Ann Baade in the spring of 2024, I contributed to FSU by curating and organizing “Bite From the Apple,” an exhibition at Gadsden Arts Center and Museum which showcased my BFA peers. Co-curating the exhibition was a rewarding experience. I enjoyed collaborating with my peers and giving them a platform to display their work, which helped them boost their confidence and grow artistically. The opportunity encouraged them to take pride in their work. Art has the power to bring people together, spark conversations and create shared experiences that deepen understanding within a community. These interactions can be rare and should be valued. Art encourages dialogue and empathy, helps bridge gaps and creates a sense of unity that enriches the community.