Sprague, who graduated from MSU last spring with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education, spent her time on the study abroad thinking about Circe’s "underdog" story. That led Sprague to her final project: a ceramic piece titled "Interwoven" that explores Circe’s perspective as a woman in ancient Greece. 

"My piece is going into certain points in Circe’s life where she had these really negative things happen to her," Sprague said. "I want people to be able to look at this and understand her point of the story."

Now, "Interwoven" sits among other artworks made by the students who went on the study abroad to Greece. The ceramic pieces are on display in the MSU Union Gallery through Oct. 4. 

The gallery was created through a collaborative effort between the MSU Excavations at Isthmia and the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. Its theme, "A Passed Present/A Present Past," explores the students’ perspectives on how Greek history and culture transcend across time.

For Sprague, this meant using a woodland style of Native American art to combine her past and present experiences.

Director of Galleries and Outreach Laurén Gerig said the theme allows visitors to see the present and past captured together. 

"It beautifully shows that 'between' space, the expansion and elongating of time, and time spent with family and friends in a new environment," Gerig said. 

Gerig said she has found herself feeling a sense of nostalgia since working in the space and being surrounded by the artwork.

"It just conjures up a really specific emotional memory, so it’s a really beautiful experience and honor having this as our starting exhibition for the semester," Gerig said.

Zoology senior Paulette Gutierrez’s piece explores this melding of time and place. 

"One of the things that really caught my attention (on the study abroad) was how the same stories are presented both here in the United States and in Greece, also throughout time," Gutierrez said. 

This observation resulted in "Realized Myths," a piece that reflects on the stories and myths that have represented women throughout history. Regardless of time and place, Gutierrez said, women’s stories tend to depict continuous abuse against them.  

"Realized Myths" and the pieces alongside it in the gallery reflect each student’s experience on the study abroad, which Gutierrez said was an eye-opening experience.

"I’ve always been in this little bubble here in Michigan, so traveling and pretty much doing it all by myself was just an amazing experience, and I’m really proud of myself that I was able to do that," Gutierrez said. 

The study abroad was an immersive experience, according to Rebecca Casement, an assistant professor of ceramics in the art department who went on the trip with students. 

"The place that we lived in is a hotel, but it’s family run and it’s got little kitchenettes, and the woman that owns it makes breakfast every morning and talked with the students," Casement said.

Jon Frey, an associate professor in the department and the director of MSU Excavations at Isthmia, said one of the goals of this immersion was to simply get students thinking. 

"It’s fun to take these students that have a different cultural perspective and to present them these ideas to them and ask 'What do you think about that?'" Frey said. "The artwork they produced is sort of an illustration of their response and reaction to it."

One common culture shock students felt was the adjustment to the pace of life in Greece.   

"You have more time to think, and you actually have time to actually be in the moment," Gutierrez said.

This is something that graphic design junior Jill Moreno also noticed. Moreno’s artwork in the exhibition, "Pace of Life," reflects on her understanding that life moves slower and the communities are more tight-knit in Greece.

"It was cool seeing how other people lived other than America," Moreno said, adding that Greece was the furthest she has traveled from home.

The students were able to discuss these ruminations with Casement, who helped each student make their artistic vision come to life. That process started in Greece.

Casement and the students worked at a global arts studio in Greece, meeting from time to time to discuss their inspirations and goals for their projects.

Though the project was challenging, Graphic Design senior Vanessa Fernendez said being able to discuss ideas with Casement made it easier. 

"I think I’m somebody who needs to talk through my ideas and go through them a few times," Fernendez said. "Being there one-on-one was really helpful."

In addition to collaboration among the MSU students and professors, the group also connected with local artists and community members. 

Frey and his colleagues collaborated with a local art school. This allowed the group to make connections with a "whole new community of creative individuals" and "create a wonderful conversation."

Having open discussions allowed students to not only understand cross-cultural connections, but also participate in critical analysis. The effects of this approach appear in the artworks by Sprague and Gutierrez, which confront narratives often seen throughout history. 

Frey also takes a critical look at the study abroad itself, noting that Greek and Roman histories often form the backdrop of Western culture. 

"I think it’s important to recognize and discuss if it’s a good idea that we tend to privilege Greek and Roman culture over other cultural traditions," Frey said. "I think that’s an important question to ask."

Because classical archaeology also has a long history of exclusivity, Frey said, he tries to do the opposite.

"You had to be from a certain segment of society, you had to have a certain amount of wealth, you almost always had to be male in order to gain access to an excavation and be successful," Frey said. "That’s problematic on so many levels."

Frey said that because the exhibition has work from a variety of students with diverse skill levels and experiences, he thinks it illustrates better representation. 

The students also had varying levels of experience when it came to translating their ideas into pottery, which they did after returning home. 

"It’s so exciting to watch them learn the thing I love to do and then make a piece for an exhibition that is beyond what they pictured," Casement said.

The students and professors gathered on Sunday, Sept. 15 for a ceremony at the gallery to celebrate their art and reflect on what they said were once-in-a-lifetime experiences abroad. 

"If anyone wants to go and do a study abroad or just experience a different culture, I would 100% recommend it," Sprague said.