Students Show Potential in Juried Art Exhibit

On Wednesday, March 3, the Juried Student Exhibition was put on display in the Silver Cultural Arts Center. This event takes place every year to give Plymouth State students a chance to display their hard work to the community. Out of many pieces submitted, only a few are selected. The exhibit holds a variety of pieces, ranging from photography and figure drawing to sculptures. The medians used for the work differed as well; they include pencil, charcoal, paint, ink, and clay. Because there were no limits to the subject matter or media used when the submission took place, students had the flexibility to express a wide range of ideas without restriction. The only requirement was for the two-dimensional pieces to be framed. Each piece was chosen for its unique quality in which they present a range of distinct media and subject matter. Two themes were used to select the best pieces for the two and three-dimensional works. The first theme focused mainly around the beauty of portraiture; it needed to incorporate a thorough commitment to this particular genre. Many pieces that were chosen represented both nude and clothed portraiture. The second theme concentrated on work that went above and beyond the norm, something that would challenge the traditional categories of sculpture, and bring a new twist to the art as a whole. Pieces that won the titles of Best in Show and two-dimensional categories were chosen because of the emotional expression represented through the artists themselves. It is evident that much emotion fueled the creation of each piece, and the artists were encouraged to take it to another level. It creates a desire to know more about what the artist was trying to express and, because of this, a sense of individuality and freedom is given. The three-dimensional pieces that won were chosen for their ability to use mixed media in creating an expressive and stimulating experience for the viewer. These pieces were selected for their ability to force viewers to discover something about themselves that would not normally be considered. One piece titled “Fast Food Nation,” by Margarita Dufresne, gives us a different outlook of ourselves and our relationship to processed food; a red figure with a tin box stuck in the stomach and a cup in its hand, filled with the remains of a “fast food” meal. Best in Show was awarded to a photograph, a beautiful piece that provokes emotion and individuality in a very unique way. Winner Karen Munz did an amazing job capturing the sense of our primal need for the freedom to express ourselves. Titled “Free to Be,” the black and white photo gives us the chance to discover the gentle commitment that two women share in a secure and tender moment, captured by the camera lens.The Juried Student Exhibition is on display in the Silver Cultural Arts Center Lobby until April 8. It is an impressive collection of the potential of Plymouth State University students, and comes highly recommended for all to attend and appreciate this fine exhibit. It is important to understand what the students at Plymouth State University are capable of accomplishing and this gallery helps to express their ability.