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Whispered discussions and polite tranquility, customary in an art gallery, transformed first to a low hum and finally to an excited chatter in Lord Hall on Friday evening.
It wasn’t an exhibit from an established painter or a new media whiz – it was the opening reception for the vibrant work of University of Maine student artists. Friends, families, faculty and the community joined the artists for a celebratory night of recognition for the artists’ accomplishments.
The annual juried student exhibition is titled “Making Art” for its 2009 iteration, More than 150 people meandered within a smorgasbord of media. Black-and-white photos hung alongside pieces done in oil, acrylic, charcoal and watercolor. Self-portraits were displayed next to abstracts and mixed-media projects, all capable of gluing viewers to the spot for several minutes while deciphering and appreciating. Three-dimensional art formed from metal, clay, wire and dog hair filled the center of the gallery.
“There was an enormous amount of really great work,” said George Kinghorn, director of the University of Maine Museum of Art. He was one of three judges, alongside art faculty James Linehan and Constant Albertson, to whittle 350 entries down to the 76 most outstanding pieces.
“Many people disregard the visual and performing arts as fluff and an easy major that students slide through college taking. But in reality, studio art, for me, at least, is one of the most mentally and physically demanding subjects I have ever pursued,” said fourth-year studio art and advertising student Katie Conroy in an e-mail.
An awards ceremony bisected the reception, conducted by art department chair Susan Groce. Other presenters included art faculty and Kinghorn. More than $6,000 was awarded to dozens of students for their work.
Conroy won an award to attend Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Deer Isle for two weeks this summer with fully paid tuition and residency. She will study blacksmithing.
“The process of working and reworking steel is a liberating and fascinating concept that I am just beginning to fall in love with,” Conroy said in an e-mail.
Dean’s Exhibition Awards were given to students whose work will go on display for the next year in Stevens Hall, the home of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Winners were Julia Comeau, Barbara Denaro, Tricia Holmes, Justin Lunn, Dorson Plourde, Blaine Puckett, Elise Robichaud, Kathryn Rowley, Eddie Scott, Susan Smith, Kristen Thibodeau, Katrina Vaughan and Tyson Wardwell.
“I couldn’t think of a better award to have received,” said Blaine Puckett, a senior drawing and digital art student, in an e-mail. “I know my mother is a bit bummed at the prospect of having to wait for an entire year to have the work hanging in her house, but she, as an artist herself, understands just what an honor this is.”
“I was thrilled to even have my piece accepted into the show,” said first-year studio art student Tricia Holmes in an e-mail. She created a self-portrait entirely from magazine clippings. “I’m just flattered and honored that someone likes my work enough to want to put it on display – it’s a huge confidence boost.”
