The Xavierite
Now through May 6, the senior thesis exhibition will be on display in the SXU Gallery. This year, the show will consist of two parts, with each exhibit featuring six senior art students.
This year, the exhibition is called “Baker’s Dozen.” The first of two exhibits will be on display in the gallery from April 11 – April 21.
The second exhibit will be on display from April 25 – May 6 with a reception on Saturday, April 25 from 2-5pm. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the different exhibits and the reception.
The current exhibit features works by Dana Long, Myia Brown, Roksanna Wasiunec, Frederick Vaineo, Amanda Podkulski, and Ken Zochowski. The second exhibit will feature works by Marie Hackert, Kelli Shaffer, Haley Simone, Ewa Kowalczyk, Elizabeth Simon, and Brittany Hewing.
Unlike most exhibits on display in the art gallery, the Baker’s Dozen exhibit will feature more than one artist at a time. This means that the works in each exhibit will vary greatly. This year, students used many different mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, and more.
Becca Greve, a senior at Saint Xavier, said, “I saw the first part of the exhibit and I really liked it. It’s great to see so many talented students here at SXU. I’m really looking forward to seeing the second half of the show when it goes up.”
In preparation for these exhibitions, seniors were tasked with creating different works that focused on one specific theme. The students were allowed a great deal of artistic freedom.
“The students, at the beginning of last spring, had to identify a topic or theme that was meaningful to them, that they wanted to explore conceptually and visually through the media of their choice. Exhibiting the results of that year-long investigation provides the professional ‘fulfillment’ of that journey,” said Cathie Ruggie-Saunders, SXU Gallery Director and associate professor.
Not only is the Baker’s Dozen show a chance to show off their hard work, these exhibits are also a learning experience for the soon-to-be-graduates.
“They gain professional experience while still a student, which positions them well to make the transition from academics to an art/design career,” said Ruggie-Saunders.
Putting together an exhibit for 12 seniors is no easy task. However, because the students were allowed artistic freedom, they were also involved in many different aspects of a professional gallery exhibit. This involves a huge commitment from each student as an individual, as well as it being a group effort.
“[The exhibit] allows the students to present their work in a gallery setting to an audience. The students are involved with all aspects of this capstone departmental project: designing the advertising, submitting publicity information to Media Relations, framing and installing their work, lighting, writing an artist’s statement, hosting an opening reception, interacting with the public about their work, etcetera,” Ruggie-Saunders explained.
Not only will the students gain experience with art and design, they will also expand their range of professional skills.
“They gain self-confidence in speaking about their work. They have the unique opportunity to see that all the challenges, frustrations, sweat (and maybe tears) that they put into developing their artistic voice and practice are now resolved and well worth it!” Ruggie-Saunders said.
“I can tell that the art students put a lot of effort into these projects. It really brings a fun element to the gallery,” Greve said.
To see the Baker’s Dozen exhibits, please visit the SXU Gallery in the Warde Academic Center. For gallery hours, please visit sxu.edu, keyword: gallery.
Katherine Arvia
Senior News Editor
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