Another year of amazing student work and a great time had by all!!!

This year’s show was headed by our Fine Arts faculty and ceramicist, Jessica Gardner.  Jessica is also an artist in her own right and teaching has allowed her to pass on her professional experience to the students, for both creating and showing your work.

Our Juror, Blare Clemo, is a professional ceramicist as well and works as an Assistant Professor of Craft and Material Studies at VCU.  He was absolutely wonderful with our students.  Great advice to everyone he met.

We had many submissions for this year’s show and his job was challenging.  He was impressed with our student work. “Shy Love” by Monique Gurruchaga uses cut out paper and phenomenal craftsmanship!

Xueting Tong’s wonderful, “Scent of a Curve” installation guides the viewer into the gallery by having half of the curving swirl, on the each side of the window.

The gallery at The Center of Design, Media and the Arts, still feels brand new, even though this is our 2nd year since moving into it.  The gallery is wonderfully designed with separate alcoves to view the works.

The Show is based on student work that fulfilled an assignment for at least one of our classes over the past year.  One of my favorites is the Tie-Wire Project, where students learn about thinking in 3-D and how to see line in a more deliberate way.  Sydney Strickland’s rebar tie wire piece asks, “Why Are You Like This?”

It’s always a joy to walk around and see what our students are doing and amazingly talented they are!

The Ceramics were lovely as always! Dogwood Casserole Dish by Britt Brooks.

The show allows many of our students an opportunity to exhibit for the first time.  They invite family, friends and support one another.

One of my favorites from the show is the “Robed Guardian” by D’Arcy Dean.  I just love the texture.

The great aspect of the show is that the visiting art audience really delves into the works.  Every year, the art matters.  These viewers are enjoying “Reflected light” a pastel, by Thuy Le Chung Nguyen.

Rightfully so, the students are so creative! This teapot by Katherine Gaynor mixes ceramic and string to express, “War of the Mind.” On one side the teapot looks normal, but when you turn it around you see the inner workings of the mind.

Our students are all passing through this school.  They are working hard and deciding what to do with their lives, careers and artistic voice.  This show is also a great place to see the creative output of other students and get inspired for new ideas.

It’s a great chance to see varying techniques and processes, up close.  This is especially true of Christopher Hanley’s “Swells” sculpture.

Students get to voice their tastes and opinions for the night and put their own work in a new context. Thuy Le Chung Nguyen discussing her art.

Overall, its a wonderful evening.  Students visit throughout the evening and in-between classes.

The big draw, however happens at 6:30, when the Juror in introduced and the winners are announced!

This year Jessica wanted to give a huge thank you to the Cafferky family. Tanagra Cafferky is the daughter of Lois Long and she and her family are the ones who are generously donating the art supplies from Lois’ estate, to the students here at NOVA. Louis Long had an inspiring career in the arts exploring ceramics, metal enameling, photograph and much more.  She was the author of two books about ceramics.  Her passion for the arts will be continued by the continued use of her tools, supplies.    Thanks so much Cafferky Family!

3rd prize went to Cecilia Bergh for her lovely pastel self portrait.

Ishta Hurtado won Second Place for her “Chess Inspired Trio.”

Ishta Hurtado’s “Chess Inspired Trio.”

The First Prize went to Oz Bender for “Skelefem.”

His “Skelefem” is made of painted steel.

Everyone had a GREAT time.  The food was great, the art is great and    everyone came to enjoy a wonderful opening reception.

Jessica and Clemo pose with our honorable mention  winner, Xueting Tong.

She won for her Blue and White Tea Pot.

Jeff Pounding also won an honorable mention for his work titled, “Generations.”

We had some visiting teachers from Annandale as well!  Thanks to Michael Dowley for supporting us tonight!

Nathan Johnson enjoying speaking with students at the opening reception.

Our Dean, Jimmy Mclellan came by to visit with the students as well as Dr. Haggray, our Provost.  We are so fortunate to have such supportive people helping make the NOVA experience a wonderful one.

Jennifer Webster created a lovely small vase in clay.  The glaze is just beautiful.

Art asks for conversation and tonight started many new ones.  Joann Ackerman’s vase, “My Kind of Woman” is a engaging piece.

Bavarian Vase in oil by Elizabeth Good

One of my other favorites are these wonderful figurines created by Miyuki Matsuoka.  She made these in response to visiting the Terracata Warriors show in Richmond.  She decided to create new ones and put them in a different context, relaxing around a fire.  Their new world is titled, “Once upon a war time in China”

The show work is fun, rich with color and texture! Malik Stanley’s Autobiography Project as wonderfully charming.

So great to find friends at the reception!  Mary sings in our NOVA Community Chorus and Elizabeth is our is an amazing photographer and volunteer for our photo department.

Tim Buffalo poses in front of his very cool album cover style artwork, T3rminal 3rror above Emily Schneider’s “Neutral” collage.

Stephan made a sale!!! Need I say more.

Taryn Lyons was thrilled with the show!

Every artist should be very proud.  This is the start of many new opportunities! Marjorie Henriquez rocked her, graphite “Interior Design Project.”

The show is up until March 4th! Come on by!  It’s worth the visit!

Xiomara Fontanez posses in front of her work, “Heaven’s Gate Memorial.”

The Cafferkys were thrilled to see the art supplies having been used in our student artwork already!

Yohan Cho created a lovely pastel work titled Plush Reflection.

For more information about department events, please visit our Facebook Page! www.facebook.com/TylerArtsLife

Our Associate Dean, Karly White enjoying Lyle Priddy’s “Provence House.”

Haruko Greenberg discussing her work, “Tea for Three” to a very appreciative audience.

Well, I’d say this year’s show was a hit! For all of you students that are currently working away… Anything from this semester to Spring 2020 is eligible to enter the 2020 Student Fine Art Show.  We hope to see you next year, even if you are graduating before then!

Blog post by Britt Conley, Studio Assistant to the Fine Art Department, Admin. Assistant to the Music Department.