Students studying fine art and graphic design graduating in May were able to showcase their working in the DiMattio Gallery this past Friday. Some students involved include, Mary Wagerik, Ava McClendon, Anthony Paterra, and many more.
The students participating portrayed a wide array of graphic designs including, board games, posters, and personal logos.
Students, faculty, and families were able to walk through the gallery to view the talented students’ artwork displayed on the walls.
Ava McClendon, a senior fine art student had her artwork displayed at the event, she said, “My goal with showcasing my work was to motivate others to make a difference in their communities through the use of the hashtag, #IAmTheChange placed on my wall. I wanted to have a section relate to social justice to give more of a purpose to my exhibit.”
Scott Knauer, Director of Galleries and Collections said, “For both the fine art and graphic design shows, all of the students have different ideas on how they want to display their work.”
“We’ve had students bring in their own crates or wine racks that they want fixed on the wall,” he said.
Anthony Paterra, a senior fine art student and one of the many other students who showcased their work said, “I wanted to have a diverse showing of material. I wanted to be able to reach all types of people. For example, I had something sports related, something animal related; I had illustrations, photography, packaging, motion graphics, and a wine display as well.”
Although one of the main ideas of an exhibition is to show off the artist’s work, it is also important that viewers and artists alike get to take something away from the event.
Carson Warren, a senior fine art student who displayed artwork at the show said, “I tend to gain a new perspective when I view the work of others. Not only for the subject of the work but also the artist because so much of art is about visually communicating an idea or concept.”
“Also, I have gained an appreciation for all the hard work my colleagues and I have put into our exhibition by sharing the same space. It has been a great way of seeing each person’s individual style come to life and how much we have grown as artists over the last four years,” Warren continued.
“It’s so important to see other students’ work because it lets you get out of your comfort zone and it immediately sparks ideas. That’s why we are always showing our work to one another,” Paterra added.
Although students were able to get inspired by their colleagues, it shows in the work that was showcased that their inspirations can vary from artist to artist.
“Black culture, high fashion, and just people in general inspire me the most. I also get a lot of inspiration from visiting Philadelphia and New York or any other cool place that I might come across. Really, I can find inspiration all around me if I take time to look,” McClendon said.
Mary Wagerik, a senior fine art student who displayed a number of pieces of artwork at the showing said, “My classmates definitely inspire me to be a better graphic designer.”
“Part of the graphic design major is to be enrolled in a two semester senior year thesis and portfolio class together. We became a very close knit group with everyone encouraging each other and providing beneficial critiques to help each other improve to be the best designer possible,” Wagerik continued.
“Two of my biggest inspirations are artists Luba Lukova and Grayson Perry. Both Lukova and Perry use different mediums in order to express themselves and their ideals but I think their spirit and drive are very much the same,” Warren said.
“They want to inform and educate about different social issues and their work is both unapologetically personal and political, which is something I admire about both,” Warren continued.
Paterra added that just keeping up with trends on line and what other people are doing is a good way to stay inspired.
Inspiration, although important, was not the only thing the artists hope that their viewers were able to take away from the event.
“I think people will see how there are many types of styles not even just within my work but with all the other design students. There’s an infinite number of ways you can take each project,” Paterra explained.
“My goal was to spread awareness and raise questions, particularly with my senior thesis project on women who I felt had been forgotten or unnecessarily vilified throughout history. I think it’s important we should reexamine the past and to not just accept what we’ve been taught by our parents and teachers,
Warren said.
While all students who were able to showcase their work had their own intentions, the hard work did not go unnoticed. Proud family members, colleagues, peers, and faculty saw the dedication that each student put into their art.
PHOTOS TAKEN by Alexandria Afanador
