In honor of their four years at Seton Hill University (SHU), graduating art program seniors are showcasing their most inspired works in Harlan Gallery April 29 thru May 2.
Every year, senior art students have the opportunity to show off their talent to peers, professors, family and friends as they graduate and say goodbye.
By Bethany Merryman
A&E Editor
In honor of their four years at Seton Hill University (SHU), graduating art program seniors are showcasing their most inspired works in Harlan Gallery April 29 thru May 2.
Every year, senior art students have the opportunity to show off their talent to peers, professors, family, and friends as they graduate and say goodbye.
This spring’s senior show included six exhibits total, with 22 students presenting their progress in the gallery.
Director of Harlan Gallery and professor of Art, Carol Brode said, “This semester there are a large number of students exhibiting, which means there is a need for good planning on their part.”
Senior exhibits included Erin Mitchell, Kelsey Patsch, and Allison Sinisi’s show titled “A Piece of C.A.K.E.,” Albert Erni, Spencer Fink, DeVon Gandy, Chris Guerra, Desmond McCoy’s presentation named “The Countdown,” Lindsay Antolic, Carla Flowers, Danielle Lukasewycz, Ali Sedlacko, Jacob Yuhasz’s exhibit called “Lights Out Hollywood,” and Sara Calvin, Erin Davis, Jillian Kowalewski, Valerie Morschl, Chelsea Trettel’s show “Venire Assieme.”
“I like ‘The Countdown’. I felt they were very prepared and have a large variety of works, including paintings, sculptures and graphic design pieces,” said junior Marissa Voytek, a fine arts student at SHU.
Along with the group exhibits, seniors with exemplary GPA’s who went through an application process have the honor of presenting solo. Among the art students, seniors Marie Manski and Juliann Picklo have individual shows.
“This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. Since I was a freshman I always wanted an individual show. I just can’t believe it’s over,” said Marie Manski.
Manski’s show, “Man is the Measure of all Things” focused on the human experience as an individual practice. “My show is looking at my personal experiences and my hope is that they may also be universal effecting the audience,” said Manski.
With each show, there is a closing exhibit where the seniors have the opportunity to celebrate their achievements at SHU. At the closing, the artists have been giving talks about their shows. Brode said, “This gives them experience in speaking about their work to groups of people.”
Seniors also have an opportunity to sell their pieces of art at their exhibits through a price guide or through personal contact.
“The senior exhibits get students work displayed and shows their progress. It also shows their professionalism, which will help them in their future careers,” said Voytek.
Agreeing with Voytek, Manski said, “This exhibit is a stepping stone for me, because it has prepared me for professionalism.”
Overall, Manski was impressed by the other shows, because “they all had a special touch.” Manski said, “Each group picked each other and I felt their work emulates them as a group and not just as individuals.”
Agreeing with Manski, Brode said, “As always, I am impressed by the wide range of work displayed and the uniqueness of each artist’s expression.“