Sydney Long’s original idea was to create artwork to compliment other works of art in the Patterson Hall hallways.
“I introduced myself to Dean (Dan) Grooms my first year, offering to create artwork for the school after I noticed there were some paintings around the halls,” Long said.
While that idea didn’t pan out, the third-year veterinary student remained in the back of Grooms’ mind. As the December holidays approached, Grooms reached back out to the artist asking her to contribute to the College of Veterinary Medicine’s annual holiday card.
And the rest as they say is history.
For the past three years, Long has created the design for the holiday card.
“It’s truly been a great honor to be provided the opportunity to represent the school with my art in this way,” Long said. “I love all the cards in their own way, but I think my first card will always hold a special place in my heart because I actually used my own pets as references for the dogs and cats in the sleigh.”
A self-taught artist, Long starts each year’s design process the same way. Several different ideas are presented to her, and she starts working to find a variety of reference materials. Long then formats multiple references together.
“I draw an overlay using my own artistic style that is eventually the finished piece,” Long said. “These cards have actually been my first time using digital art which has helped me save some time compared to free handing everything on pen and paper.”
That’s important because first and foremost, Long is a veterinary student.
“Vet school is definitely a major time commitment and I’m involved in several clubs and activities around the school so I try to get started on these cards as early as possible,” Long said. “For most of the front end work I usually try to find a few hours here and there to spend on it over a few weeks so I can sit with different ides until I figure out what works best.
“Eventually I find a day where I can set aside enough time to focus on finishing out the rest of the design.”
Long uses her art as a way to de-stress from vet school. In addition to designing the college’s holiday card, she also tries to find other ways to bring art to veterinary students as president of the school’s RSR (Recreation & Stress Relief) student organization.
She has helped set up an annual flower arranging night, helped coordinate the pumpkin decorating contest around Halloween, and organize a “Clear the Shelter” painting night for students to take a mental break from their studies.
Still, as fulfilling as supporting her community is, vet school has taken away from her time to create as much as she may wish.
“I may not have had as much free time to paint these days, but I think one of the most important things I’ve come to recognize is that we are constantly surrounded by art,” Long said. “You don’t have to create art to appreciate art. There is so much beauty everywhere waiting to be seen if you just take the time to notice.”
Long’s artwork can be viewed on Instagram at @artbysyd12.
December 2025