Students exhibit artwork in Westerly gallery
Connecticut College art students are showcasing “The Heart of the Artist” with a new exhibit at the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly.
The exhibit, which runs through March 2, includes photography, painting, drawing, printmaking, video, ceramics, artist’s books and sculpture. The pieces reflect the way artists use visual information, technique and forms to express themselves and communicate ideas in today’s complex, visually sophisticated culture. Hannah Plishtin '13, for example, uses watercolors to explore the connections between language and the female experience.
“I aim to unearth that which is unexpressed, connecting her interior and exterior realities,” Plishtin said.
Artist Gabriella Salvatore '13 said the process of making something gives her great satisfaction.
“I like to see how my thoughts and creativity can materialize into a concrete object,” she said. “I like that there are no right or wrong answers.”
Through close relationships with faculty who are also professional artists, students are introduced to a variety of philosophies and practices.
“The art department strives to fully engage its students in a broad interdisciplinary and international studio experience,” said art professor Pamela Marks. “Students are expected to balance and integrate their study of art to their other courses and the larger world.”
Each year, the Artists’ Cooperative Gallery of Westerly hosts a visiting student artists show curated by a college or university. To have their work featured in “The Heart of the Artist” exhibition, Connecticut College students were asked to follow professional protocol and submit their works to a faculty jury. The jury selected 22 students, including one freshman, to showcase one or more works.
Students also learned about professional artistic practices by taking part in the exhibition’s installation.
“The students gained valuable hands-on experience by packing, transporting, sighting and hanging this show. And being in the exhibition creates a forum for recognition and feedback on student work in a public space,” Marks said. “This is the first step in building an exhibition record for these future artists.”
The exhibition is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The gallery is located at 7 Canal Street in Westerly, R.I. For more information, call 401-596-2221 or visit http://www.westerlyarts.com/.
- By Laura Cianciolo ’16
February 18, 2013
