Campus’ artistic medium for student expression, the Box Gallery, will display an exhibit of mostly digital student pieces starting Friday.
The Box Gallery is located in the Arts & Communication Building level 1, room 100. “Project: An Assemblage of Graphic Design” will run from Oct. 21 through Nov. 4. The gallery will provide a reception Friday from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Both undergraduate and graduate students submitted their work to Laura Lawson and Ellen Dempsey, two graduate art students. Gabby Windham, MFA graphic design student, then selected fifteen pieces via a “juried” exhibition, where a work is judged to be placed in a gallery.
Windham said the modern style was an opportunity to show the individuality of the Box Gallery.
“I was just looking for good composition, typography and layout, anything that separates graphic design apart,” Windham said. “Graphic designers are being involved because, generally, a lot of gallery shows focus more on fine art. It is a chance to include another medium in the university.”
Every semester art students can propose ideas for shows for the next semester to the student-run Box Gallery. A committee of about 12 people then votes on what will be in future exhibitions.
Lawson said the Box Gallery serves an important role.
“It gives students real- life experience to run a gallery,” Lawson said. “Those who propose shows have an opportunity to exhibit and know what it is like to show in a gallery before going out in the real world and working with people whose full-time job is doing this.”
Students accepted into the upcoming show include Catherine Knowles, Chad Malone, Fatima Alkabsh, Josh Coker, Jerrica Wilkins, Sarai Payne, Victoria Morvan, Breanna Parker, Cassie Farrier, Ashkon Elahi, Casey Thorne and Margaret Shaul.
Art students are encouraged to put their gallery experience on their resumes. The gallery shows students are involved in the department, according to Windham.
“I think it is unique because it is a student run gallery,” Windham said. “You are interacting with your peers and getting feedback from your peers.”
Windham also spoke positively about the graphic design department and how they are involved with the upcoming gallery.
“I’m happy to see that other students want the graphic design department to be a little bit more involved and be seen,” Windham said.
Starting Friday, “Project: An Assemblage of Graphic Design” will be one of four visible exhibitions within the U of M Department of Art.
