Print |
E-mail to a friend
MARSHALL UNIVERSITY
Marshall artists showcased in exhibit
Birke Art Gallery director John Farley and his piece, "A Meeting of the Minds," will be part of the Emerging Artists showcase that starts July 1, in Charleston.
CHARLESTON -- At least six Marshall University alumni and graduate students will have their work showcased in the Emerging Artists of West Virginia Exhibition in Charleston, starting July 1.
Seth Cyfers, Seth Davidson, John Farley, Ben Robertson, Rebecca Robinson and Erin White have all been selected to participate in the upcoming show, which is sponsored by the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. A juried exhibition, Emerging Artists will be the opening art exhibit in the newly renovated State Museum at the Cultural Center in the State Capitol Complex.
"It is fitting that this unique show is a key element in the re-opening of the State Museum," Betty Gay, exhibits director at the Cultural Center, said in a news release. "As we open a new beginning for the museum we also unveil a new group of flourishing artists. There is something from almost every medium in this show, from post-directorial photography to wall sculpture, a must-see for art enthusiasts and collectors."
The Division of Culture and History will present $1,000 for the Best in Show, which is a purchase award. The winning piece will become part of the West Virginia State Museum's Collection. A first prize of a signed and numbered Blenko vase also will be awarded. Second- and third-place winners also will receive special recognition.
For Marshall University graduate student Erin White, being selected to showcase her work in this exhibit is another step toward a career in art.
"It's exciting to be included and start working toward the future of my art career," said White, a Huntington resident. "I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the show.
"The pieces that are in the show are part of a series I worked with for a while, visualizing emotional space," she continued. "The spaces are those that exist between the mind and the tangible reality of where we live and work daily."
Marshall University's Birke Art Gallery director John Farley said large exhibits like this will serve a great importance for those who want to pursue a career in art.
"For a young professional artist, exposure and recognition is vital to jump-start one's career," said Farley, also a Marshall graduate. "Any opportunity to display one's work should be met with enthusiasm and pride. These are lessons we seek to impart to the art students here at Marshall that carry over into the professional world."
Farley's drawing, "A Meeting of the Minds," was selected to be displayed in the show.
Exhibitors in the show will participate in the Emerging Artists' Slide Jam and awards presentation at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, the first day of show. Slide Jam is an invitational event during which the artists will present their work in digital format on the big screen. Each artist has five minutes to discuss his or her work, present the work to music, or use any other descriptive action, allowing the audience to get a feel for the artist's exhibited piece as well as the full range of his or her works.
