“Atypical 9 to 5” showcases senior art studio pieces

This year’s senior art show, “Atypical 9 to 5,” displays pieces from each of the senior art studio majors. Works include paintings, sculptures, prints, photography and watercolor, among others. Karen West.

As the school year slowly winds down, senior art studio majors are preparing for their Senior Art Show. The Senior Art Show will begin with a reception on Saturday, May 1, 2010, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in the Hillstrom Museum of Art and will be open until May 30. The title of this year’s show is “Atypical 9 to 5,”and it showcases the hard work of senior art majors.
“The senior exhibition showcases the best of the best from the senior class art majors. It’s a culmination of the skills and techniques we have been developing ever since our first art class at Gustavus. It’s not only to showcase the senior art majors, but also to give credit to the art faculty who have taught us and encouraged us. All the art work in the show is the result of hard work from both the students and the faculty,” Senior Art Studio Major Amanda Skarphol said.
The art show represents a wide range of work and mediums that represent each individual artist’s interests. “Everyone really has started to go their own direction with their art and have started to find their preferred vehicle of artistic expression. As a result, pretty much every style and medium is covered in the show, from paintings, drawings, prints, photography, watercolor, sculpture, mixed media and ceramics to installation and video art. It will be really cool to see everything together in one room,” Senior Art Studio Major Mike Johnson said.
The seniors displaying their art are proud of their hard work and dedication to their passion, as some of their favorite pieces are on display.
“To be a part of this show is an honor. The work that is being exhibited is just a portion of what we have done this year and throughout our time at Gustavus. The work that will be seen has been through an extensive jurying process and is the best of what we submitted. The show for us is like a thesis of our education.  We get the opportunity to stand by what we have created, receive feedback from the public and find out how our work is received,” Senior Art Studio Major Ross Elenkiwich said.
For most of the seniors, this art show marks the beginning of their careers and is a time for them to share their hard work and to receive feedback. “The art show, for me, marks the beginning of my career in the arts. It basically shows off the hard work I put into my major and brings to reality that I could really be an artist,” Senior Art Studio Major Jamie Dufek said.
“There is a lot of work that goes into preparing for a show; not only do pieces need to be created ,but they have to be displayed as well. That means matting and framing or literally installing pieces into the wall. It’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding. Seeing my prints matted, framed andhung on the wall was a wonderful feeling. This is the first time I have truly felt like an artist. All the hard work has payed off,” Skarphol said.
Take a break from cramming for tests and finishing papers to come and enjoy the creativity, hard work and beautiful art that senior studio art majors have created.