By Liz Spano, Arts Editor
Nine senior art students organized an art show Friday, titled “Luminescence,” featuring artwork from their college career, including projects by interior design, graphic, architecture, studio art and art education majors.
The exhibit, which still is on display in the Shore Art Gallery, is one of many that will be featured for senior art students every two weeks this year. The gallery is a requirement for graduating art students and contains not only each student’s favorite pieces, but also the group’s own artistic decorations and a gallery set-up to portray their chosen theme.
The “Luminescence” gallery has artwork by students who will be graduating in May, including Michelle Ward, Kelly Kercheval, Jonathan Gildersleeve, Sarah Johnson, Carrie Gallman, Kelsie Dunn, Aleksandra Vucic, Megan Barnett and Kameron Cates.
Although the exhibit is required for art students to graduate, it is also an opportunity for students to showcase what they have learned and created throughout their college career.
Geoffrey Broderick, associate professor of art and design, said the art show is a big deal to students and also a chance for faculty to give its blessing to graduating students.
Senior Sarah Johnson, graphic design major from Grapevine, agreed that the art show is important to students.
“It is something we all look forward to; it’s a cool accomplishment,” Johnson said.
The art students organized and decorated the gallery according to the “Luminescence” winter theme, with snowflakes painted on the wall. They used lighting, decorations and music to create the feeling they wanted visitors to experience.
More than 100 people attended the show to view the artwork and talk to the artists. Families and friends also were welcome, and some family members flew in to Abilene to support their son or daughter.
The art show began with introductions by professors Geoffrey Broderick and Dan McGregor, and each student also was given the opportunity to speak and explain their artwork. Refreshments were offered, and visitors were encouraged to stay and talk with students and faculty.
Because more students are graduating in May compared to previous years, each art show group is larger than usual, and the art majors have to limit the amount of artwork they display. For this reason, each senior chose only four or five favorite pieces to display at Friday’s art show.
Gildersleeve, senior interior design and free architecture major from Abilene, said that this allowed each student to go through their pieces and select their best.
The art department is considering options for the future, including the possibility of creating more gallery space for students to display their artwork.
The next senior art show will take place Feb. 6-23 and will feature art by students Kelsey Evans, Caroline Mattis, Brooke Whitlock, Matt Young, Sarah Depmore, Erika Findley, Christel Pitts and Korie Darby.
“I always enjoy seeing the young faces I had as freshmen that are graduating now,” Broderick said. “We always hope they will move on and do great things.”
