For graduate students trying to show off their artistic growth and expose their work to the public, Ohio University provides them their opportunity through the graduate art shows.
The annual art shows in Trisolini and Seigfred galleries showcase the scope of work that is being done by first-and second-year graduate students. The event allows graduate students to get experience in setting up and planning a show. The students did everything from creating postcards advertising the show to installing and removing the artwork, said Gallery Director Petra Kralickova.
We were the curators and advertisers for the whole show
said Winter Reiser, a first-year graduate student.
The first-year students' exhibit, titled Fingerpainting & Ashtrays is housed in Trisolini Gallery, while the second-year students' exhibit, Mid Sentence occupies Seigfred Gallery. Both galleries are packed with pieces from all of the graduate students in the art program.
The titles of both shows, which were chosen by a group consensus, have meanings that are not obvious, said second-year graduate Lea Zoltowski. Mid Sentence
refers to the fact that the students are in the second year of a three-year program. Fingerpainting & Ashtrays is a reference to early artistic creations that children manufacture.
The 26 students involved in the show were each allowed to select one or two of their pieces for display in the galleries. A crew of students delegated the responsibility set up all the work, said first-year graduate student Cheri Charlton.
Installing the pieces took three to four hours and involved hauling larger sculptures into the galleries, measuring the space available for wall-mounted pieces, readying pedestals for some ceramics and attaching the pieces to the walls when necessary, said student artist Brett Skarbakka.
All of the disciplines of studio art are involved in the show, Kralickova said.
The large variety of art -consisting of paintings, sculptures, prints, ceramics, photography and pieces that blend the disciplines -shows the progress of the graduate students enrolled in OU's program, she said.
It'll be good to look back on how I've grown in this program
Charlton said.
Many of the pieces in the shows bridge gaps between different disciplines of art. There are several pieces that combine light, sound and image as well as pieces that mix sculpture and painting.
There are two reasons for the cross-disciplinary pieces. The OU graduate art program stresses diversity, requiring graduate students to take classes outside their major, Charlton said.
The school's support of variety and experimental approaches is a strength, Skarbakka said.
The other factor in the students' cross-disciplinary approach was that many of the students' studios are located together, allowing them to see what others are doing and use it in their work.
We feed off of each other
Charlton said.
The show is not just a professional event. It can also provide the students with a break from working in their studios.
It's an excuse for all of us to get together and relax
Charlton said.
The closing reception for the shows will be 7 to 9 p.m. March 10 in Trisolini Gallery. Refreshments will be served. The show will be taken down at 4 p.m. March 12.
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Matt Canady
