Gorham Art Gallery Director Carolyn Eyler describes this year’s juried student art exhibit as “a snapshot of the art department” here at USM. The pieces displayed range from painting, drawing, photography and linotypes to pottery, wooden and metal sculptures, and a film.
One of the most captivating photographs in the exhibit was taken by Colin Zornoch. It features a house in shambles, with a plastic Santa Claus in the doorway and a beaten washing machine on the front lawn.
Another intriguing piece is a linoleum cut by Scott Mincy titled “Katharine Hepburn,” which portrays a topless woman in front of a church, holding what looks like a limp baby. A sign in front of her reads “Strength in her religion.” Thick lines give the piece an almost comic book appearance, yet the cryptic sign and the motionless form in the woman’s arms leads the viewer to suspect much deeper undertones in the piece.
Not all the works have an easily ascertained message. Possibly the most abstract piece in the show is by Kevin Ryan. His work, titled “Meditation Chair Womb with a View,” features what looks like a rocking chair covered with colorfully adorned cloth,
Artists and professors were on hand last Tuesday to give out nine awards during the opening reception. Purchase awards were given to Sara Dill for her digital photograph “Stairwell,” Chris MacWhinnie for his untitled painting and Andrew Goodman for his work titled “Kochinas.” The winners’ art will be purchased by the university and displayed in the Dean’s office.
The Excellence in Ceramics awards were given to Lonnie Varberakis, Allie Rimkunas and Shawn O’Conner.
The Jurors’ award, presented by Jamie Snyder, the USM artist in residence, and Elizabeth Olbert, a professor at the Maine College of Art in Portland, was given to Kevin Ryan. Colin Zornoch and Jay Jacques were given honorable mentions.
President Richard Pattenaude presented a few of the awards and said he was proud of USM’s student artists. “[It’s] great to see how talented our students are,” he said, calling the pieces both “realistic and abstract … about growing and life.”
Out of 187 submissions, only 47 are on display. Three jurors discussed the submitted works and decided which ones made the cut.
The student art show will be on exhibit at the Gorham Art Gallery until April 18. The quality of the work is exceptional, and anyone interested should stop by to take a look. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Jon Blood can be contacted at [email protected]