An eclectic display graced the Lyet Gallery of Leffler Chapel and Performance Center on Tuesday. From just a few laps around the gallery, one can feel the passion and desire these students have when creating and sharing their work with fellow Jays and members of the surrounding community. Professor of Fine Arts Milton Friedly, who teaches primarily 3D Art, ceramics and sculpture, is the director for all of the art galleries on campus.
“Seven categories are represented here: ceramics, drawing, mixed media, computer art, painting, printmaking and sculpture,” Friedly said. “[It is] open only to students who are enrolled in or have taken studio art classes. They don’t have to be art majors.” He said that the pieces are from “classroom work. They can be from independent or directed study courses.”
When asked if he pieces on display come mainly from upperclassmen or a range from first-years to seniors, Friedly said, “It is a mix from first-years to seniors. Some are art majors; some are minors.” This display is certainly not lacking in representation from a mixed bunch of Blue Jays.
Senior Ryan Sommers, a senior and studio art major, had multiple pieces featured in the show. When asked about what styles he used, he said, “A few ceramics pieces, some sculpture, mixed media and 3D. Abstract is what I lean toward,” Sommers said. “Painting is more geared toward portraits, so I prefer to do abstract mostly.” His favorite piece is called “Dyad.” A dyad is a conversation between two people, as well as a couplet of musical notes that makes two differing pitches. The sculpture has a double meaning itself. Made of bronze, it has a small face at the top of a bronze staff. When it’s looked at from behind, it is a mirror image of the face in front; only this one is upside down.
Junior studio arts major Melissa Stewart displayed the styles of printmaking, ceramics (hand coiling, more specifically), graphic design in the form of a photo collage and, finally, a bronze piece conveying a message against pollution. She prefers abstract work. “Sticking to reality is a little too restricting,” she said.
Junior and history of fine arts major Elizabeth Hirshberg had pieces featuring mixed media and surrealism-inspired styles. On why she chose these styles, she said “I like surreal types of art. I enjoy the intricacy and thought that goes behind it. It can be humorous and meaningful at the same time. It makes you think.” Her favorite piece she had in the show was one she named “Knoon.” This piece used plastic knives glued together with a resin over top. She welded a stand herself, and the sculpture rests upon it. It was impressive, to say the least.
Carol Galligan of Lancaster, Pa. was a judge for the show. Her job as a judge is to determine which pieces are selected for the show and which ones from that group are given awards. Overall, she said the show was “very impressive. I can’t pick a favorite. It’s hard to have a favorite when there are multiple mediums expressed. But the whole experience was inspiring to me as an artist, seeing these young artists put their work out there.”
