Akin features artwork by Carlos Donjuan and Marilyn Jolly, both are visual art faculty at the University of Texas at Arlington. They come from different generations and different cultural influences, but they share an interest in the special qualities of materials and color harmony. Each strives for a type of simplicity or directness in their work without sacrificing content.

While Carlos Donjuan is a former student of Marilyn Jolly’s at UTA, today as colleagues they check in regularly for peer support. Their relationship is bonded by an open-minded approach to work while maintaining a strong point of view. Jolly currently works in traditional oil painting, acrylic paint, collage and encaustic. Donjuan works in watercolor, acrylics, spray paint and collage.