Many of you may have passed Parking Lot E on the south side of campus and noticed the brightly colored murals on Building 1, one of which is an abstract dragon whose vivid patters represent the school’s cultural diversity. Following the dragon will lead you to Skyline College’s very own art gallery.
The gallery’s last show of the school year began mid-April and ended just last week on May 10. Art lovers strolled through the Juried Student Art Exhibit, enjoying music from the Skyline Jazz Quintet. Although the gallery is small, there was more than enough to see and enjoy.
“This year’s (Student Art Exhibition) was well attended, and I was very impressed by the work this year,” said Gallery Assistant Caleb Cosgrove. “The art was really extraordinary and very professional. We even added a new category of art, print.”
The artists ranged from beginning to intermediate and advanced art students. Out of 170 student entries, 113 pieces were exhibited. The artwork covered a number of different categories, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, ceramics, mixed media and sculpture.
The show was judged by Professor Robert Poplack of Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, who is an artist himself. There were a total of seven merit awards given by Poplack in all media categories. The works selected for merit awards were those that represent students in beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of classes from each of the media categories.
“There was a lot of amazing artwork on display this year,” student Crystal Lam said. “A lot of the work was definitely one of a kind.”
Those who attended the reception enjoyed the smooth sounds from the band and some refreshments. Friends and family came to celebrate the artists and their work.
The gallery will be closed over the summer break and will reopen this coming fall semester with the Skyline Faculty Art Exhibit, followed by the annual Juried Student Art Exhibit again in the Spring. The success of this year’s exhibit has certainly raised the bar for next year’s show.
“The exhibition featured a number of new and upcoming artists,” said Yvonne Newhouse, who received a merit for her watercolor painting. “The art at the exhibition was of high quality and one of the best showcases we’ve had yet.”
