On the evening of April 16, a crowd of students, artists, and art-lovers gathered in Boswell Hall. There they stood talking cheerily with each other about the art process, the logistics of taking good photographs, and simply musing about life and the never-ending complexities while helping themselves to coffee and cookies.
It was the opening reception for the latest exhibition to grace the walls of Corner Gallery. The work, which is usually created by professional working artists, now features the original pieces of NIC art students. The work displayed was created sometime over the course of this academic year in one or more of the numerous art classes the college has to offer.
A wide variety of can be seen in the gallery; from graphite drawings and oil paintings to photos and ceramic sculptures, the pieces chosen epitomize the range in talent from NIC art students. Much of the work in the exhibition can be described as abstract, their subject matter pertaining to either a figure that is heavily distorted or reminiscent of nothing of this physical world. Other common subjects in the work included landscapes, both photographed and drawn, as well as collages.
Every piece entered into the student art show was judged by a local professional artist. Kensie Lovlyn’s graphite piece entitled “Behind the Mask” took first place. “The Kiss,” a brightly colored abstract oil painting by Rebecca Clement, took second place, and Leasa Harmon’s untitled collage won Best in Show.
“I love this year’s gallery,” said Harmon, whose total of eight pieces are being displayed in her first student art show. “It’s very different from last year’s show, but all the work is so great.”
“It’s a great opportunity for the artists,” Harmon added.
The gallery is open and free to the public, weekdays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will run until May 10th.
