"One of Us" by Farrah AlSulaiman (MFA ’16) Photography + Film. (Photo by Terry Brown, courtesy of VCUarts)

VCUarts presents annual student exhibitions

Reynolds Gallery director jurying undergraduate fine arts competition

Share this story
"Muahlin O Wand" by Levester Williams (MFA ’16) Sculpture + Extended Media.
(Photo by Terry Brown, courtesy of VCUarts)
"Muahlin O Wand" by Levester Williams (MFA ’16) Sculpture + Extended Media. (Photo by Terry Brown, courtesy of VCUarts)

Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts is presenting its annual spring student exhibitions beginning March 24 at The Anderson, 907 ½ W. Franklin St.

The end-of-year exhibitions, taking place over six weeks, are free and open to the public and begin with an undergraduate show featuring the curated work of the best and brightest talent in the Bachelor of Fine Arts programs. The work on display has been produced during the 2016–17 academic year and reflects students’ efforts to connect with viewers through the arts and to transform mediums both traditional and digital. Artwork featured will represent the programs of Craft/Material Studies, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, Sculpture + Extended Media, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Art Foundation and Communication Arts. From works on Plexiglas and photo collage to animation, fashion and installation, visitors at The Anderson can expect a lively experience of color, craft and sound.

VCUarts has invited Julia Monroe, co-director of the Reynolds Gallery, to jury the fine arts portion of the undergraduate show. During her eight years with the Richmond-based gallery, Monroe, along with her co-director Alice Livingston, has showcased work from the world’s up-and-coming painters, photographers and sculptors. Monroe earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in art history and her master’s degree from VCU in Art History with a focus in modern and contemporary art.

The exhibitions conclude with two rounds of Master of Fine Arts thesis shows from VCUarts’ graduate fine arts and design programs. Graduating M.F.A. students will present their final pieces — a culmination of years of intensive studio practice and associated research.

Both undergraduate and graduate students taking part in the exhibitions will be in the running for awards. Undergraduates are eligible for the $500 Dean’s Award, four $200 Awards of Distinction, a $200 Art Education Jumping the Fences Award and a $200 Art Foundation Award. One graduating M.F.A. student will receive the Toby Devan Lewis Award — a $10,000 stipend to be used at the recipient’s discretion. Each year, philanthropist and art collector Toby Devan Lewis funds fellowship awards at the 10 best art schools in the country.

"Hot House" by Pallavi Sen (MFA ’16) Sculpture + Extended Media.(Photo by Terry Brown, courtesy of VCUarts)
"Hot House" by Pallavi Sen (MFA ’16) Sculpture + Extended Media.(Photo by Terry Brown, courtesy of VCUarts)

The undergraduate exhibition kicks off with an opening reception at 5 p.m. on March 24 and runs through April 9. Round one of the graduate M.F.A. thesis exhibitions begins with an opening reception April 14 at 5 p.m. and runs through April 23. Round two launches with an opening reception April 28 at 5 p.m. and runs through May 7.

Additional graduate work may be shown off site. For a full list of VCUarts 2017 end-of-year student events, visit arts.vcu.edu/exhibitions.