On Tuesday, April 18, the Ortlip Gallery opened the annual Senior Show, an art exhibition dedicated to showcasing the work of students graduating with art degrees. This year, there are 12 seniors being recognized for their work, including Hannah Banks ‘17, Michael Carpenter ‘17, Thomas Rhett ‘16, Andrew Foster ‘16, Emily Friesen ‘17, Marta Gowett ‘17, Meredith Guffey ‘17, Kimberly Logee ‘17, Jill Magara ‘17, Sarah Ritson ‘17, Jennifer Zacchigna ‘17, and Rachel Rava ‘17.
According to the director of the Ortlip Gallery and assistant professor of art and printmaking, Alicia Taylor-Austin, these 12 seniors have spent this year preparing works for the show, along with writing a thesis paper to address the ideas that went into their pieces. She said, “This thesis is a part of the grade for their senior studio class, but the exhibition itself is not, since showing in the gallery is a privilege that they can attain, but not a requirement for completing the program.” Taylor-Austin has met with the seniors a few times to go over their exhibition proposals. “I’ve also viewed their work in progress over the spring semester and given feedback,” she said.
Carpenter is showing over a dozen digital photographs and a deck of cards he designed. “The work is all related, and about one subject, which I’ll leave you to see at the show,” he said. “I will say, though, that you can play cards in the gallery with the deck I designed.” He expressed excitement for the campus to experience the hard work done by him and his fellow classmates. He added, “I hope our work sparks conversations and new ideas within those who see it.”
Zacchigna is showing a collection of 12 pieces in watercolor and ink. She said, “They mostly depict abstracted natural objects, such as flowers, nature scenes, and human figures.” In regard to the planning that went into the show, she discussed the process of choosing work and getting it approved by the art faculty. “We had to create a layout plan for how our work would hang in the gallery,” she continued. “We learned how to frame, prepare, and hang our pieces properly.” Zacchigna is most looking forward to the opening reception of the show.
Gowett is showing a single installation piece made of found objects, fabric crafts, and ink. She said, “This semester has been very different for me, as I usually work in 2D materials such as pencil or charcoal drawings. As such, a lot of the planning that went into the show started back at the start of the spring semester, when I began gathering material for the installation.” Gowett is looking forward to seeing everyone’s reactions to all of the different artwork that the seniors have made.
Magara has one installation piece titled “Let Myself Feel” and one sculptural piece titled “Beauty From Dust.” Both pieces include ceramics, and the installation includes photographs. She will also have an assortment of functional ceramics in the atrium. “I had to plan a ton to make sure things were gallery ready,” she said. “I’ve also been doing tests all summer to get my ceramic pieces to look the way I wanted them to.” Magara is excited about having her friends and family be able to see her pieces, and the culmination of four years of work.
Foster will show a few drawings, as well as several stoneware bowls. He talked about the work that went into getting the show ready. “We have to select what we think is both our best work, and what works best as a whole group” he said. “Then we have to submit a proposal to the gallery director, who divides up the gallery into sections for each of us to display our work.” Foster looks forward to showing artwork which is a result of a full year of creating his own art, as opposed to assigned work.
The opening reception for the exhibition is on Friday, April 21 from 5-7 p.m., and will remain open for visitors until May 13, the day of Commencement.