Artistic Expressions
For students in the Utah State University art department, homework is more than just monotonous calculations or the hassle of a standard term paper – it’s a way of expressing individuality.
That individuality won’t go unnoticed due to this year’s Undergraduate Art Exhibition.
Students and faculty have been working since November to produce what Madeline Bromley, a photography student and publicity committee member, calls the most important venue of the year.
By contrast to those of previous years, the upcoming exhibition displays a combination of fine arts and commercial arts – everything from sculpture to graphic design, said Greg Schulte, faculty adviser for the show.
This dramatically heightens the diversity of the show, said John Neely, head of the art department.
“Everything was fair game,” he said.
Students were allowed up to three submissions to be among those chosen for presentation at the exhibition. Of roughly 100 students who submitted, Schulte estimates that a fourth were juried into the show. Bromley was among them. One of the three self-portraits she entered will be presented.
Two people from outside the art department were chosen as jurors for the exhibition. Bob Bissland, a local graphic designer and artist; and Rose Milovich, who works in Special Collections at USU. Both have had experience in a broad range of areas and were qualified to adjudicate in all the fields presented, Schulte said.
Milovich said she looked for the presence of visual thinking, the manner of execution and the emotional impact in judging the pieces.
“There was a really excellent pool of entries,” she said. “Each medium has its own expressiveness, and it’s difficult to judge one against the other.”
Milovich also said, as much as one tries to remain impartial in judging, personal taste does play a role. Students whose art was not chosen for the exhibition should not feel bad about their work, she said.
According to the press release, awards for the most impressive pieces will be given at the opening reception, where there will be music and catered refreshments. The reception will be held on Friday, in the Tippetts Gallery of the Chase Fine Arts Center. It is open to the public and free of charge.
Neely said among the cash prizes given, there are a few purchase awards sponsored by various faculty members at USU. Norm Jones, head of the history department; Lynn Meeks of the English department; Liz Grobsmith, dean of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; and Vice Provost Joyce Kinkead have all offered to purchase their favorite pieces from the exhibition, he said.
Kinkead said she has always been impressed by the quality of the work produced by USU art students. She has purchased a piece once before and said she will definitely consider purchasing pieces in the future as long as she has the wall space.
Schulte said the USU Bookstore will sponsor other prizes. In the past, the bookstore has had its own art show, but this year it combined forces with the art department.
“It’s a really fortuitous combination,” Neely said. “We’re very happy with the way it has gone.”
Students hope to gain valuable experience from the exhibition, Schulte said.
Neely said the upcoming venture is a “training ground” for the students to present their work for public approval or recognition of some sort.
“We want to let the rest of the world know what we’re doing here,” he said.
Bromley said, “It would be nice to get other USU students – not just those in the department – to come.”
The exhibition will run from Jan. 25 to Feb. 14 in the Tippetts Gallery. It can be seen Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“The art exhibition doesn’t have the same entertainment value as a concert or a play, but it is just as significant and just as deep,” Neely said. “Time spent looking at the work will be well-rewarded.”