Seniors gather together at their art gallery opening for their final works of art at the univerity. 
Courtesy of Alexandra Bond and Savannah Perrin

The Contemporary Art Gallery hosted the Visual Art and Design Fall 2016 Senior Exhibition, allowing graduating seniors to showcase their prepared pieces of art.

The senior exhibition took place in CAG from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

“Every semester we do a senior exhibition,” said Dale Newkirk, Director of CAG. “It is a part of their curriculum in getting a bachelor’s degree in art.”

The students who are featured in the gallery went through several steps before their work was showcased in the senior exhibition.

“They must pass a senior review before the show, where they present their work to a panel of faculty, and they must pass their oral examination,” said Newkirk. “If they pass, then they will be able to proceed to the exhibition.”

There were a variety of artists placed in the exhibition from sculptors to graphic designers.

“In this show we have a sculptor, someone working with painting and ceramics combined,” said Newkirk. “Also, a mixer of new media and animation, graphic design, drawing and print making.”

For some audience members, the exhibition was the first they had ever been to. For others, it was just what they expected.

“The pieces are interesting and this is the first show I’ve ever been to,” said Michael Rodriguez, a sophomore finance major. “Just the difference in all of the pieces. I’ve always wanted to come to the art exhibit to see what my fellow friends were doing.” Junior art major Brittany Howard agreed with Rodriguez. “So far it is extremely aspiring looking at a lot of pieces,” said Howard. “This definitely has me excited about mines. Some of these pieces makes you want to stop and look to see what they really meant.”

Senior art major Taylor Hall-Clay was very excited to make it to his senior exhibition. Even going through the rough patches of life, he made it to the end.

“It feels so overwhelming,” said Hall-Clay. “I was nervous at first, but looking back at the trials and tribulations I have been through, it’s so exciting for me to see my pieces hanging up in the Contemporary Art Gallery. It’s just an overwhelming sense of emotion and pride.”

For senior art major Akilah Spears, this won’t be the end of her educational journey at the university. She plans to further her education in ceramics and painting.

“Next semester I’m coming back and taking some audit classes,” said Spears. “That means, I take the course and gain knowledge from it but I don’t get a grade for it.”

According to Newkirk, being in this exhibition gave the students an opportunity to see what it feels like to become a real artist by having the chance to have people to view their work.

“If you are an artist, showing your work is your job,” said Newkirk. “Art is a job to create a visual statement using a visual art language to communicate context to an audience.”

For more information, you can visit CAG’s page on the university’s website or call 985-549-5080.

The Contemporary Art Gallery was packed with a full house for the senior exhbition and multiple people came on opening night to see the seniors display of their final projects for the university. 
Courtesy of Alexander Bond and Savannah Perrin