Students exhibit art in Buckley Center through April 23, some for sale
By Conor Campbell
The University of Portland Fine Art Student Show opened yesterday and continues on the first floor of Buckley Center until April 23.
The show exhibits the works of students from every UP art class, and features paintings, ceramics, drawings, prints, sculptures, 3D designs and photos. Each student submitted one piece to the salon style showing, where hundreds of works are hung from the ceiling to the floor.
The show will exhibit a large variety of art in a relatively small space. Scattered throughout the exhibit, one can find clusters of three dimensional figures hiding between hanging paintings and collections of digital photos. There will be familiar Portland scenes, conveyed through paintings and photography, sitting beside print renditions of flowers and other creative designs.
Students are also selling their works, for as little as $5. The money for each sale goes straight to the artist.
Each student worked with her or his professor to decide what piece to exhibit.
"I think it's very important for students to determine for themselves what they feel is their best work, because art is a statement. The artist is trying to communicate something" said photography professor Pat Bognar, who is involved in coordinating the exhibition.
Student artist senior Sarah Bernert relishes the idea of displaying her work for other UP students to see and consider.
"[The show] is a chance to observe your peers when you might not otherwise get a chance," she said. "Whenever you create something, a little bit of you is expressed, even if it's not your intention."
There is an opening reception for the exhibition today, in Buckley Center, from 4-6 p.m., when students will be available to talk about their art. This is the first time there has been an opening reception for the spring exhibition, the largest art exhibition at UP all year.
According to art professor Elaine Powell-Ascroft, the show is beneficial not only to the students who get to enjoy the art, but also to the artists.
"It's important for students to have a chance to see their work put into a different space outside of the studio," Powell-Ascroft said.
