Join us at the Student Exhibition Center as Art + Design students present original work in the Sculpture, Drawing, and Painting Area Exhibit.
Students’ sculptures, drawings, paintings, and more will be on display now until April 16. These works come from courses taken fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters and were all created by undergraduate students. This exhibit highlights “successful, innovative and thought-provoking works completed by students ranging from lower level to advanced studio courses,” shares Sarah Williams, Associate Professor in the Art + Design Department.
Along with sculpture, drawings, and paintings, the exhibit will also include “installation and performance-based work created in a large variety of traditional and non-traditional materials and in a variety of scales,” shares Deidre Argyle, Sculpture Area Coordinator. The exhibit will display an exceptionally wide range of works, and Deidre hopes that visitors will be able to see the “diversity of approaches” Art + Design students took while creating them. The exhibit is not only a way for the community to see the talent within the Art + Design Department, but is also a significant experience for students. “It can be so powerful for each student to see their work on a white wall hanging among works from their peers,” shares Sarah.
In choosing which pieces get selected for the exhibition, Sarah seeks out student work that not only accomplishes the project requirements, but also “shows a student’s visual voice or hints at their developing personal aesthetic.” For her more advanced courses, Sarah still focuses on technique, but places even more emphasis on creative concepts and the interaction between a viewer and the artwork. “I choose to highlight work that is not only successful in visual communication and the ability to engage the viewer, but I also consider students’ work ethic and drive.”
Having work in an exhibition is often a much-needed confidence boost for students who put in many hours, effort, and intention into their creative processes. “I have so much respect for students who are willing to come to class, do the hard work of really digging in to think, experiment and have trials flop before they succeed in order to get to an outcome that is meaningful and fulfilling,” shares Sarah, “That quality can’t be faked and it’s something the viewer will always be able to identify even if they can’t articulate what the work is about.”
Amidst the challenges of having to learn in alternative ways—especially in courses where professor to student critique and communication is necessary—it is quite the accomplishment to be part of this exhibit. “Having the faculty involved, selecting the work from their classes, again, highlights the outcomes the students were able to achieve during the unique situation we all have been part of,” shares Sean Lyman, Drawing Area Coordinator.
The exhibition is showing at the Student Exhibition Center. Address: 833 E. Walnut St. Springfield, MO 65805. Hours: 1pm-6pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday; Tuesday 2-5pm; and Saturday 11am-5pm. Please wear a mask and practice safe distancing when visiting. Call 417-836-6999 or 417-836-6996 for additional details.
Students with work in the exhibit: Sydney Arlt, Ellen Aulbach, Kate Austin, Liz Bertz, Gabby Blackmon, Rosemarie Caldwell, Tara Call, Tanner Caruthers, Ashton Chowning, Ryan Dean, Hannah Dipoto, Lauren Doty, Derek FitzPatrick, Nadiia Goodwin, Timothy Halcomb, Peter Harmon, Emi Juchems, Tim Keeling, Magan Kemp, Cherokee Knight, Dorie Lea, Jalen Lee, J Librach, Molly Martin, Justin Mayhew, Rachel McClay, Kimberley McDowell, Joni Neal, Claudia O’steen, Kjella Page, Angelica Pozniak, Paige Prinster, Ashely Rolewicz, Ashley Runge, Weirong Schaefer, Jordan Seyer, Isabella Strong, Anna Shackelford, Olga Shute, Staci Stokes, Leigh Stracener, Cole Trumble, Emma Ungen, Kassidy Watts, and Jasmine Woods.
