Work by senior Mikaela Fortune is part of the BFA show opening Thursday in the Myhren Gallery.
The Shwayder Art Building will be alive with the work of undergraduate art students Thursday night, with three exhibits that celebrate the creations of graduating seniors.
In the Myhren Gallery, the 2014 BFA exhibition, “Composite,” has its opening reception from 5–7 p.m. The show, which runs through June 7, features work by seniors in the BFA programs of the DU School of Art and Art History, including Stephanie Biller, Kimberly Carbonari, Brandon Finamore, Mikaela Fortune, Sarah Fukami, Jessica James Gilbert, Lindsey Hubbell, Ting-yu Lin, Tanner Cole Minock and Caleb Wassell. The students worked with graduate gallery assistants to install their artwork.
“I love the BFA show because the surprise factor is always there — some of our students come up with such inventive and beautifully realized work,” says gallery director Dan Jacobs. “They’re at a point where they begin to experience mastery over their chosen media, and they have the confidence to let the work speak for itself. It’s also great because you can see them develop effective and engaging strategies to accomplish their artistic expression. And where else can you see a life-size mermaid on the DU campus?”
Work by graduating BA students will be on display in the Shwayder lobby, while works by seniors in the Emergent Digital Practices (EDP) program will be set up from 5–8 p.m. in the C-cubed Studio on Shwayder’s top floor. The EDP event includes a digital backdrop for selfies, a lesson on creating the LED light devices known as “throwies,” and 3-D scans of visitors that will be delivered via email.
“The students will be showing a variety of explorations,” says EDP Associate Professor Chris Coleman. “One student developed a series of audio experiments as sonic therapy to help with his mental health. Another is creating an immersive space where shades of light and paint will interact and question our perceptions of color. There will also be interactive works, comic books and documentation of performances.
“We are excited,” Coleman says, “because we only get a couple of chances a year to all get together and celebrate the amazing things we make in the program.”