Seniors display art with Roots of Revival exhibition

Outgoing students remember merging of departments through art

Katie Blatman - blatmaka@plu.edu

mast a&e reporter

Students, faculty and many other visitors packed into the University Art Gallery in Ingram April 30 for the opening night of the senior art exhibit called Roots of Revival. The exhibition showcases work from 14 Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts graduating seniors and represents the graduating class and the School of Arts and Communication.

“This is the capstone of the art department,” said Assistant Professor of Communication Amanda Feller.

The Roots of Revival theme reminisces of the merge of the separate departments of communications and arts in to the School of Arts and Communication. Kate Kuhn, who has several photographs displayed in the exhibit, said the change “came as a surprise to all of us.”

A wide variety of art mediums are on display including works of graphic design, drawing, etching, painting, ceramics and photography. Kyle Muir displayed works of graphic design expressing not only artistic talent, but views of religion and current events. A graphic design piece by David Johnston of Anne Frank establishes a relationship between art and world history.

Maryanne Mason will graduate with a degree in art. Most of her work involves painting and photography. Her displayed paintings showed scenes of landscapes which often require 20 to 30 hours of time to complete.

“They’re all done from photographs,” Mason said. “They’re places I’ve actually been.”

One unusual medium of graphic design included a set-up of an area satirizing college with fictional board games like Tuitionopoly.

Their artwork was not the students’ only concentration. The students involved in the show were also responsible for the layout of the gallery. According to junior art major Natalie Taylor, students also had to construct and decorate all the walls and bases used in the exhibit.

The Roots of Revival senior art exhibit will display pieces until May 23.

Photo by Daniel Kimnas