Art stars of the Universe(ity)

“Studio Arts Student Exhibition”

Various Artists

Through April 30

University Art Gallery… “Studio Arts Student Exhibition”

Various Artists

Through April 30

University Art Gallery

Frick Fine Arts Building

Hours: Mon. – Sat. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Thurs. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

(412) 648-2423

From paintings and drawings to digital prints and video projects to sculptures and installations, “Studio Arts Student Exhibition” showcases the limitlessness of creative expression within the University’s studio arts program.

An annual event held in April, the exhibition highlights some of the most notable efforts of Pitt studio arts majors from the past year. While most of the pieces are from those of the graduating class of 2006, there are also select pieces by sophomores and juniors who have displayed artistic talent worth praising.

This year’s exhibition features 99 pieces — one of the department’s biggest showcases yet. This is most likely the result of there being 32 graduating studio arts majors, which is the biggest class in recent history, according to the department.

Each graduating senior was allowed to submit 10 works to be considered for the show, and outstanding works from sophomores and juniors were also chosen. After more than 250 works were submitted, the entries were juried down to the 99 that made the show.

What results is a vast and varied collection that spans across most of the contemporary mediums of art. Of particular mention are those student works that received awards.

Sara J. Lynn received the Studio Arts Department Award for “Aqua No. 2.,” a series of four similar aquamarine-colored collagraphs. Collagraphing is a type of printmaking that uses a collage of textured materials to create the print.

Both Michael Hegedus and Natalie Blackburn received A. J. Schneider Studio Arts Awards. Hegedus created a set of playing cards, titled “Poker Deck Series,” with a unique intaglio print on each card. Blackburn’s “Childhood Landscape” is a digital media print of a farm scene that is textured with monochromatic words overlaying the landscape.

The Betty Blockstein Levine Memorial Award was given to Elana Schlenker for “I See London.” Her work is a digital layout design, which is part of a larger production of a travel guide for London, and showcases the more commercial possibilities for art.

John Tronsor’s untitled installation of four plaster head sculptures hung upside-down with red light bulbs inside, shining through their mouths, received the Martin Richard and Susan Baer Gluck Award.

Curt Riegelnegg won a Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for a chiaroscuro oil painting featuring numerous blank-faced men walking in a line, titled “To the Banquet.”

Phenix Wise also received an Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for her “Ribbon of Harmony and Discord” series. In a sequence of six paintings of the same design, Wise uses different color harmonies to unify and separate each painting.

What remains most interesting about “Studio Arts Student Exhibition” is the opportunity to see so many different styles arise in one show. Whereas most exhibits try to umbrella the types of work under a certain theme or idea, this one is filled with so many different styles and expressions that almost everyone is bound to find something he likes.