Senior exhibition highlights student artwork

Ten graduating art majors at Bates College will put their finest work on display in the annual Senior Thesis Exhibition in the college’s Museum of Art, April 5 through May 27.

Works in the exhibition range from watercolors to oil paintings, sculptures and oriental-style ink drawings.

In common with almost every Bates senior, art majors must complete a major project as a thesis. Unlike most others, however, their efforts are put on public display.

“What we see every year in the thesis exhibition is a great variety in artistic vision and expression,” said Anthony Shostak, the museum’s education coordinator. “It is the culmination of their studio program and serves as an introduction to the professional art world. Students must prepare their work for exhibition and assist with the installation of the show.”

This year’s participants in the Senior Thesis Exhibition, and their own descriptions of their works, are:

• Maury Dojny, Westport, Conn.: “Cartoonish paintings which defuse humiliating real-life events.”
• Brandy Gibbs, Bethlehem, Pa.: “Exploring pattern through paintings and prints.”
• Emily Girdwood, Andover, Mass.: “Narrative photo-montages.”
• Joseph Kim, Sprague, W. Va: “Traditional Chinese and Korean ink drawings.”
• Gretchen Klausmeyer, Belfast, Maine: “Large drawings, prints and paintings of plant and insect forms.”
• Jennifer Lucas, Melrose, Mass.: “Large-scale abstract paintings inspired by musical and emotional themes.”
• Alicia Moore, Redwood City, Calif.: “Sculpted ceramic and cast-resin deserts: Whimsical hybrids of the works of Wayne Thibaud and Jeff Koons.”
• Suzannah Parsons, South Salem, N.Y.: “Oil paintings and monotypes in an Abstract Expressionist mode.”
• Greg Stones, Clayville, R.I.: “Small watercolors.”
• Beth Whitten, Northport, Maine: “Piscatorial prints and paintings.”

The exhibition opens with a public reception April 5 beginning at 7 p.m.

The Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Further information on the exhibition is available at 207-786-6158.