The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s Reed Fine Art Gallery will present the student curatorial project, Human Form, from May 1 through June 13, 2015. The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show’s run and attend the Opening Reception on May 1 from 5- 7 p.m., which is being held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk. A Curator’s Talk will take place at 5:30 p.m. during the reception.
Human Form is a unique opportunity for students enrolled in the Fine Art Program to experience the “ins and outs” of museum and gallery procedures. Students selected work from the University Collections that featured the figure. These students are enrolled in the ART 104: Figure Drawing course taught by Assistant Professor of Art Heather Sincavage so they have spent the Spring 2015 semester studying artistic representations of the body.
“Our student artists have focused their studies on honing their observation drawing skills. They began the semester studying the French atelier, classical Bargue Method, delved into learning anatomy, and tried their hand at experimental mixed media techniques in portraiture,” Sincavage said. “After an intense course of study, this exhibit allows them to piece together works thematically and appreciate the exceptional expressions of human form we have in our collection.”
The student curators are: Rebecca Bowers, Amanda Bubar, Sarah Coons, Arianna Forbes, Mollie Hicks, Dale Anne Ivey, Jessalyn Levesque, Sophia Maile, Corbet McCready, Renee Moore, Danielle Moulton, Monica Quist, Leah Rodriguez, Emma Ruff, Roldena Sanipass, and Lauren Wegmann.
Students in the Fine Art program are earning their BA or BFA degrees. Some are interested in becoming exhibiting studio artists, some are interested in teaching, and others hope to open an art related business. In all respects, Sincavage said this curation project allows students to see the other side of the art making process. They experience promotion, exhibition design, installation parameters, and how to discuss artwork in a public arena, she said.
“In my first year at UMPI, I never thought I would get the opportunity to curate a show. I enjoyed going through the University’s collection and being trusted to make decisions about what would be on display,” UMPI freshman Arianna Forbes said. “I never envisioned how much work putting together an exhibition is and loved the experience. Curating is as much of an art as drawing or any other art making process. I’m glad to have had the opportunity.”
In addition to its Opening Reception on May 1, Human Form: a student curatorial project will be open for the First Friday Art Walk on June 5 from 5-7 p.m. Please follow gallery happenings on the Reed Gallery Facebook page,www.facebook.com/ReedArtGallery. The public is encouraged to come out to First Friday in May and June and attend these free events. Light refreshments will be served.
The Reed Fine Art Gallery is open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The gallery is closed Sundays and University holidays. For more information about this event, please contact Sincavage at 768-9442 or heather.sincavage@maine.edu.