SRU students plan all aspects of their exhibit at Butler Art Center
Slippery Rock University students will take what they have learned from classroom to showroom at the Butler Art Center for their exhibit “Vivid” beginning Friday.
The show is the final project for an art seminar course comprised of junior and senior bachelor of fine arts students and seeks to ready them for real life.
“This prepares them for beyond school,” said Heather Hertel, professor and teacher of art seminar. “There are 25 of them designing the space as a group.”
Each student has a specific role within the larger exhibition, whether it be planning the reception, handling public relations or collecting pieces. Students also are asked to contribute works to the show that were made during their time at SRU, Hertel said.
Pieces in the show will range from paintings to sculpture and printmaking, Hertel added. The show’s title refers to the state of mind behind pieces.
“’Vivid’ is about reconnecting with the community after more than a year,” she said. “The students are so energetic and engaged and excited for this show at the art center.”
Hertel said her class has been partnering with the art center for 10 years.
“I look at it as a collaboration between the art department at the university and the art center every April as the students learn how to put on a professional show. The people at the art center really teach them it’s a professional space,” she said.
Jessica Packer, senior art student and social media director for the show, said her team has been posting artworks and introductions to the works featured on social media.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the pieces people haven't seen online,” she said. “I look forward to seeing what my classmates’ idea of the word vivid is.”
Hertel said she recommends a trip to the Butler Art Center to see the show.
“It’s worth a visit to view the variety and talent coming out of the SRU art department,” she said.
“Vivid” can be viewed from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday at the art center. A reception with music and refreshments will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 14. The show will run through April 22. Certain pieces will be for sale.
