Student Art Show At duPont Gallary

by Isaac Whalen

For Mary Washington art majors, senior thesis papers are made up of many different objects, sometimes even animal bones.

A compilation of 37 art pieces from nine different artists made up “Yes Loitering,” this years senior art exhibit that was displayed from Feb. 13 to 19. Conceived and created entirely by senior art majors, the exhibition ranged in pieces from mobiles to instillation pieces. This one show only scratched the surface of the senior talent, with another exhibit opening this Friday. The opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. this Friday in duPont Gallery.

These exhibits are the art major equivalent to a senior thesis. All art majors are expected to participate in an exhibition to graduate, either by portfolio submission or otherwise. With so many different pieces and only a handful of artists presenting, it is not uncommon to see one artist stretch across different mediums. In the first show Samantha Rizzi’s “Bisqued Bones” consisted of actual animal bones while her other work “Anatomy” was a series of engravings. Kimberly Quarforth on the other hand, contributed three installation pieces to “Yes Loitering,” each on a different subject.

One stroll around the exhibit’s floor showed the vast amount of work put into each piece.  Rachel Zeiler’s work “Swarm,” from the first show, consisted of multiple hand drawn dragonflies hung as a mobile. Various other sculptures and installation pieces clearly portray the commitment they required. Many of the pieces were from this year, but a few of them went back as far as 2008.

The Mary Washington community is strongly encouraged to come to the art at these exhibits. Many of the pieces push the boundaries of their medium as well as expression. A profound artistic experience is guaranteed for all who attend. Viewers will experience art in new ways, as well what art majors do at the university. Quarforth hopes that through this show the university and surrounding community will gain an “understanding of all that we [art majors] have learned and how far we have grown throughout our artistic studies at UMW.”

Gallery hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend. “Yes Loitering” ended on Feb. 19, but another show is lined up for March 12-19. It features a whole new set of artists as well as new works. Admission is free and all are invited to come and enjoy the exhibit.