The College's Art Gallery celebrated the accomplishments of art students at the opening of the Art Student Exhibition last Wednesday in Holman Hall. The show featured 65 works from 38 artists, whose pieces were chosen from 160 submissions.
At the opening reception, students were honored with eight faculty commendation awards, a President's Purchase Award, Dean's Purchase Award and Art Faculty Purchase Award.
Throngs of people filled the gallery for the award presentation. Among them was College President R. Barbara Gitenstein, who made an appearance despite being ill.
"I think it is wonderful, as it is always wonderful," she said. She awarded the President's Purchase Award to Jaclyn Sinquett for her pen and ink drawing "Dreaming Tree."
"I thought it's so imaginative and so creative, and it's just so beautifully executed," she said. The drawing will be on display to the public in the president's house as part of the permanent collection.
This year's guest juror was John Murphy, an independent curator and associate director of the online gallery InLiquid.com. In his juror's statement, he commended all of the students who submitted work for consideration.
"Whether your work was selected for exhibition or not, it is your determination, your drive and your passion that will fuel your creativity as your career develops," he said. He also congratulated the students whose work was selected.
"The complexity of themes, variations in media and the exploration of contemporary trends evident in the exhibition provide the viewer with a worthy survey of student work," Murphy wrote.
Natalie DiSantis, junior art education major, had her conceptual piece chosen for the show.
"I feel really honored, especially since my work is a little off-beat," she said.
She works in the gallery and loves her job. She sees what goes on behind the scenes and has the opportunity to talk to students and professors about their work.
Diane Koss, senior fine arts major, has two pieces in the show, one of which is jewelry and the other a video.
"Being a senior, it's a good end to my college career," Koss said about having her work in the exhibition.
Jonathan McGough, senior graphic design major, also won a faculty commendation award, and has two pieces in the show.
When asked about his experience as an art major at the College, he said, "It's been good, I liked it a lot. It's very community oriented."
He liked the gallery exhibit as well. "Crazy stuff, beautiful things," he said, before adding, "but not shallow."
Mary Cichon, junior art education major, was awarded for her zinc plate etching titled "Women?" She also has a black and white photograph in the show.
"I feel very honored," she said about receiving the award. "It's exciting."
Emily Possenti, senior fine arts major, also won an award for an amusing black and white photograph entitled "Bad Dog." "Bad Dog" is part of a series about sexual fetishes.
The show will run until April 27 in Holman Hall.
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from noon to 3 p.m., with additional hours on Thursday evening, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday afternoon, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. All gallery events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the Art Gallery at 609-771-2198 or visit its Web site at tcnj.edu/~tcag.
