On Wednesday, October 16th, eight members of the Saint Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences conducted their midterm critique in the Visual Arts Center. Artists stood before an audience of students and professors to explain their work, and to receive feedback on it.
The midterm is one stage of a yearlong course as part of their Senior Seminar. This is a required course for any art, design, or art education major to take prior to graduating.
Students who will be a part of the critique must also develop a thesis topic of their choosing, and then execute it in an appropriate media. Proposals are submitted, appointments made, and a visual portfolio of their work are reviewed by the faculty of Arts and Design.
Senior Seminar students put a considerable amount of time and energy into their work in preparation for the critique. In fact, a week prior to the official critique the students conduct a rehearsal in front of their peers.
Important to note about the midterm critique is that it differs from an art exhibition. Professor Saunders, who also serves as Saint Xavier’s Gallery Director, explained the difference..
“A critique is a discussion, a dialogue between the artist and other individuals. It is meant to lead to new avenues of thought, to offer references from other artists working in a similar manner, to spark insights that the artist his/herself might not have yet discovered.”
A set quantity of art pieces is not made mandatory as part of the midterm critique. As Saunders explains:
“We try to cultivate a sense of constant production. That is why we call it the “practice” of making art.”
The feedback given at the critique is beneficial to the students participating in a number of ways. It gives the students possible options for where their work will go in the future. Different voices, from students and professors alike, are heard and the critique also helps them to evaluate criticism. Students and professors alike offer their different voices to the students. The critique also helps students learn how to evaluate criticism.
The midterm critique is not limited to those who frequent the Visual Arts Center. Students from any major and year are allowed to participate in the critique to witness the displayed art. Art and Design faculty are also invited to take part and give feedback at the critique. For those interested in art, an organization known as “Art from the Heart” is available on campus. The SXU Gallery and VAC Gallery’s are also locations at Saint Xavier where artwork may be found and viewed.
Saunders, professors, and faculty in the audience hope that the students take away a few things from the critique. When asked what they hope students take away from this experience Saunders responded with:“That their faculty are believers in their ability to make art/design. That we will support them in their personal quest for developing a body of work that expresses a concept of significance to them. That their being open to feedback is necessary to grow, to mature as designers and artists.”
At the end of the following semester, the artwork at the midterm critique will make an appearance once more at the SXU Gallery during the Senior Thesis Exhibition. Here the artwork will be matured, and be open to the community for public viewing.