VCU School of the Arts to present 2004 student exhibitions

By Amy Moorefield
VCU Anderson Gallery

Students from Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts will display their finest work in a series of exhibitions at the university's Anderson Gallery, 907 1/2 W. Franklin St. This year, the Gallery will premiere the annual Student Design Exhibition along with the Juried Student Fine Arts Exhibition from April 9 -18 in the gallery and also on the first floor of the historic Scott House next door at 910 W. Franklin Street.

The two exhibitions will open with a block party celebration in the grounds connecting the two exhibition venues April 9 at 5 p.m. The two-part Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition will open April 23 -May 2 (Round I) and May 7-16 (Round II).

The Student Design Exhibition features work from the Departments of Interior Design, Fashion Design, Illustration and Communication Art and Design. The exhibit opens at the Anderson Gallery and the Scott House Friday, April 9 with a reception at 5 p.m.

The annual Juried Student Fine Arts Exhibition, now in its 33rd year, will feature paintings, prints, sculptures, site-specific installations, drawings, crafts, kinetic installations, photography and video. Students currently enrolled in classes in the School of the Arts are eligible to enter up to three pieces of work. "Each year the Anderson Gallery brings to Virginia Commonwealth University, a noted expert to judge the Student Fine Art Show. The result is a stimulating exhibition, chosen from the most interesting and challenging student work to be found anywhere in the country," said Ted Potter, director of the Anderson Gallery.

This year the juror for the Student Fine Arts Exhibition is Michael Brenson, renowned national and international arts writer and critic. Brenson has an M.A. in creative writing and a Ph.D. in Art History from Johns Hopkins University. He was the arts critic for the New York Times from 1982-1991 and is professor for the Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts, Bard College in New York.

The Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition is the final requirement for students earning a master's degree in the fine arts and design departments from VCU. The exhibition provides a forum for emerging artists and gives viewers a "preview" of new directions in the visual arts. Each of the participating artists will exhibit work representing the culmination of their two year masters program in one of the following: painting, printmaking, sculpture, communication arts and design, crafts, photography and interior design.

Round 1 of the Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition will be on display April 23-May 2 with an opening reception Friday, April 23 at 5 p.m. Round 2 of the Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition will be on display May 7-16 with an opening reception May 7 at 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend all of the events and exhibitions. Anderson Gallery hours are Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 1- 5 p.m. For more details, call (804) 828 1522 or visit www.vcu.edu/artweb/gallery.