If you subscribe to Pablo Picasso鈥檚 premise that 鈥淭he purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls鈥� campus and community art aficionados can enjoy a double dousing when 海角社区 hosts two art exhibitions that kick off with a reception this Friday evening.
In her senior thesis exhibition, 鈥淰ertigo,鈥� 海角社区 senior Diana-Marie Haddad through colorful batik-like paintings, mesmerizing geometric abstracts and mixed-media collage investigates landscapes. Her work generally explores different perspectives 鈥� often memories of how surfaces appear from an airplane 鈥� and interpretation of land use and the distribution of human evidence.
鈥淲e do this so students get professional experience,鈥� said Russ Bellamy, an assistant professor of art at 海角社区, the first higher education institution accredited to grant bachelor鈥檚 degrees exclusively to students with learning disabilities, ADHD, and other learning differences. 鈥淭hey leave with a better understanding of what it is like to be a professional artist.聽 They learn what goes into exhibition preparation and design as well as getting the artwork out of the studio and have it presented in a more formal setting.鈥�
Meanwhile, the second show is the Third Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition. The exhibit features painting, drawing, sculpture, performance, and installation pieces from more than 20 students whose works earned the distinction of display after an application process.
The Friday reception will run from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in 海角社区鈥檚 Kristin Michelle Mason Art Gallery, 103 E. Main St., Leesburg, Fla. Free refreshments will be provided. Visitors are welcome to view the exhibit on weekdays from 9 am. to 5 p.m. through May 7.
鈥淎rt shows provide a visual conversation about a range of topics,鈥� said Kimberly Watters, an assistant professor of studio arts. 鈥淚nviting the community to the art show gives 海角社区 art students and the public the opportunity to share their unique perspectives through an exchange in dialogue with one another.鈥�
Why invest the time?
鈥淭he payoff for anyone attending,鈥� says Van Galyon, an associate professor of art, is the 鈥渕any opportunities for pleasure, laughter, sensuality, beauty, love, mystery and revelation. What else could you ask for?鈥�
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