Black-and-white ink drawings of angels, tonal landscapes, light-inspired still life paintings, raised relief abstractions and a swirling vortex straw installation are among the broad array of completed and in-progress artworks that will be on display at Fairfield University's first "Open Studios" presentation of student artwork. Several hundred works by upwards of 150 student artists will be on view on Thursday, December 1, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The free presentation, located in the ground floor of Loyola Hall on Fairfield University's campus, is open to the public. Organized by Suzanne Chamlin, assistant director of Studio Art in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the display is modeled on the open studios days held by galleries in Chicago; Kansas City; New Haven, Conn.; and other artistic hotbeds. "It will provide the Fairfield community an opportunity to see the type of work in which the students are engaged," Chamlin said.

"I think there's an interest in what the students are doing," Chamlin said. The presentation is not an exhibit per se, because it will contain works-in-progress. It is really a snapshot of the student artistic activity. "It's different than a prepared exhibit," Chamlin said. "I intend it to be a social event that enables people to see what is being created in the studios."

All 12 of the studio art classes in the Visual and Performing Arts Department of the College of Arts and Sciences will participate in the event. The range of mediums presented will include: charcoal and pencil drawings; sculptures made with cardboard, wood, cloth, paper and plaster; photographs; raised relief paintings; oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings: prints on paper; and other mixed media.

"Open Studios" is also an opportunity for the student artists to display their work, usually for the first time, and think about scale, placement, lighting and other factors that affect presentation.

"There's something very interior about making art," Chamlin said. "For many students, who have never presented their work, this is an opportunity to experience making that work public."

Kristin Powley, a junior at Fairfield University who has already completed a mural based on the style of Keith Haring for the University's music program, is helping to coordinate the project. "The event gives students the ability to showcase their artwork to people who ordinarily wouldn't have the opportunity to see those pieces," said Powley, who is the artist behind the ink renderings of angels.

"Since our work is never displayed around campus, I think this a great opportunity for Fairfield students as well as the community to see what we do in the Studio Art Program," said Lauren Murphy, a senior who is also working on the event, and will display some of her work.

Posted On: 11-10-2005 10:11 AM

Volume: 38 Number: 94