Each spring the Cress Gallery hosts the Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Thesis Exhibitions, the capstone event of the creative research of students enrolled in the professional curriculum of the Department of Art at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. These exhibitions feature students who are graduating from the department’s curricular concentration areas of Graphic Design, Painting and Drawing, Photography and Media Arts, and Sculpture.
Advancing a position or proposition through research that results in a final expression as visual form, these student artists respond to the contexts of our contemporary world, its issues and challenges. Conceived in a wide range of materials from traditional to innovative, the work of these students is conceptually thought provoking and timely.
“Show One” is in its final days. The exhibition closes at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 10.
“Show Two” opens Tuesday April 14, with artists’ talks at 5 p.m. in the Auditorium of Cadek Hall, 725 Oak Street. A public reception follows from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center lobby, 752 Vine Street. The exhibition runs April 15 – April 24.
“Show One” features Emma Cromer, Emma Ensley, Stephanie Fast, Laura Flack, Mary Grace Leath, Connie Millsaps, Matt Murphy, Shelby Perry, Hannah Pino, Angel Renta, Grant Schryver, Judy Scoggins, Sarah Smith, Caitlyn Sudkamp.
“Show Two” includes Mamie Bivin, Brad Braunschweig, Gaby Caoloca, Zach Drye, Steven Eddy, Tara Harris, Mercedes Llanos, Ann Marie Miller, Katie Severson, Kyle Wood.
These students have each studied a minimum of four years. Their first two years provided grounding in skills and experience with materials, tools, and process. The final two years follow a mentored personal course.
Art history and formal and critical theory are emphasized throughout. Students are also exposed to contemporary professional practice in the visual arts through the UTC Diane Marek Visiting Artist Series, opportunities provided by the UTC Department of Art, the student managed gallery Apothecary and its activities, a biennial trip to New York City, and the many visual arts and design lectures and events throughout the City of Chattanooga.
The Cress Gallery is located in the lobby of the UTC Fine Arts Center at 752 Vine Street where guides will be stationed for Cadek Hall and the opening night Artists’ Presentations located just a short walk away at 725 Oak Street.
Admission to the Cress, and all its events and programs, is free and open to all.
For more information visit www.cressgallery.org and FB Cress Gallery of Art. Email
ruth-grover@utc.edu or call and text 423-304-9789.
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