By Jerneja Alic
The fourth annual Juried Student Art Exhibition opened Dec. 7 in the RVCC Art Gallery. More than 200 pieces submitted by 75 students made this exhibition the largest ever. Of 114 quality pieces selected by this year’s juror, Jim Toia, top honors went to Clint Wieland for overall best, Zara Gonzales for best in sculpture, Monica Navarro for graphic design and John Pilshan for ceramics.
Each year the Visual and Performing Arts department invites a different outside juror, to select the work, making each juried show unique.
Juror Toia is an artist, art professor and Director of the Grossman Gallery at Lafayette College. Ann Tsubota, RVCC art professor and Visual Arts Coordinator picked Toia. He has a “good eye” for art, she said. “He brings prestige that will make students feel good about (selected work).”
This year was the first in which the department was able to issue gift certificates.
Darren McManus, art gallery coordinator said, “the money for these prizes came from the honorarium intended for Toia for acting as our juror. He decided that the funds would have a greater impact if issued to selected students. This was an extremely nice gesture and allowed us to add a small awards ceremony during the opening reception.”
According to Toia, the recipients were students who produced “accomplished pieces that truly transcended their medium.”
In his juror’s statement, Toia said, “I remain impressed with the wide range of technical ability, creativity and divergent ideology that is present in the work of these RVCC art students.”
McManus said it is “truly exciting” that a number of students had pieces selected from several courses spanning different artistic disciplines. “Viewing the show, it’s clear to me that students within the VAPA Department are well instructed, honor the direction and opinion of their instructors and are passionate about what they are doing.
“It goes without saying that these students have talent, but what’s telling is seeing this talent applied to a specific theme, project or medium.”
Wieland said his work, the “best overall” winner, Mayan Ladies of the High Court, was inspired by the movie Apocalypto. The award is in recognition of the artist’s passion. “It’s very humbling,” he said.
The exhibit will hang in the Art Gallery through December 20th.
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