Welcome to the Gift Shop

Posted by admin on Mar 25, 2009 in Community | 0 comments

The final projects from this year’s senior art students go on display April 2 in a gallery exhibit entitled “Gift Shop.”

The opening night reception begins at 7 p.m. at the Langley Centennial Museum in Fort Langley.
Alysha Creighton, a fourth-year art major and coordinator of this year’s show, encourages students to come out and celebrate the achievement of the 10 graduating art students.

“The pieces are really insightful, personal,” says Creighton.

Displaying their art for friends, family and the larger community also allows for helpful dialogue with the artists. “I always learn something about my work when I show it to others,” Creighton comments.

Holding the studio show at the museum allows students to engage in aspects of a realistic gallery experience, such as working with a curator. The location also provides a space within the area that is both close to campus and inviting to citizens of the local community.

The museum is providing the gallery space free of charge. The art students have also held fundraisers, such as their Valentine’s Day cupcake sale, to cover the cost of promotion for the event, refreshments for the reception and the materials necessary for displaying the art pieces. In addition, the Trinity Western University Student Association has provided funding for the show. “TWUSA has always been really supportive of the senior art shows,” says Creighton.

Creighton explains that the exhibit’s title is the combination of several ideas. The idea first came up when students visited the Centennial Museum, where a gift shop separates the permanent museum collection from the art gallery. It is also a “play on the whole commercialization of art,” says Creighton.

The idea of commercialized art versus art for art’s sake is something that the students consider as they develop their own careers as artists. She adds that the exhibit also allows the students to share their artistic gifts with others.

The senior art show is the culmination of ART 411 and 412: Senior Studio. The two-semester course, required of all art majors and concentrations, allows students to explore different mediums, do research and develop their personal artistic process.

Some students determine the focus of their project early on in the year. Others, like Creighton, take a little more time to explore the possibilities for the final product. “I’m very pressure-oriented,” she admits.

Creighton says coordinating the event has been a positive experience, highlighting the collaborative effort of putting together the show. “The class makes my job easy. Everyone gets done what needs to be done.”

Unlike past shows, which displayed projects for only a few days, this exhibit will last until April 25. Admission to “Gift Shop” is by donation.