The Denison University Art Gallery will host the traditional senior art exhibition, this year titled "Peepshow," from Saturday (April 8) through Sunday, May 14. An opening reception for the artists is set for 6-8 p.m. on Saturday in the Gallery in Burke Hall and is free and open to the public. The exhibition, which features the work of the graduating studio art majors, includes works in painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture and prints.

The University Gallery will also host a symposium and reception honoring the graduating seniors majoring in both studio art and art history at 11 a.m. on Saturday (April 8). "It's an exciting moment for all studio and art history majors to present the variety of content and styles that we have worked through these four years at Denison," says studio art major Maritza Bandera.

The four senior art history majors participating in the symposium and their topics will be: Roberta Chapman, "Gericault's Raft of the Medusa"; Emily Fitz-Gerald, "Alfred Stieglitz and Georgia O'Keefe"; Jessamyn Modrak, "Colonial Revival"; and Susan Moser, "Monuments on the Mall in Washington D.C."

"Although we have a very small group this year," says Associate Professor Joy Sperling, "each student has written a very exciting and extremely original paper. The interesting thing to me is that while each student's research has changed, developed, and evolved into a sophisticated and mature paper, you can still see the imprint of the very strong and different personalities of each on their respective projects. The symposium this year will be really fascinating," she concluded.

Eleven candidates for the bachelor of arts degree and four candidates for the bachelor of fine arts degree who are studio art majors will be showing their works in the gallery this year. Exhibiting artists are Kate Armbrust, Rachel Auld, Maritza Bandera, Jeffrey Craft, Joanna Dietz, John Donoghue, Kathryn Hotler, Cookie Johnson, Kate Johnson, Alissa Lorentz, Allison Martino, Elaine Pangan, Marnie Robinson, Lakshika Senarath-Gamage, and Regina Villegas.

The studio art majors exhibiting this year also have participated in a year-long art practicum that required them to submit their works to be critiqued by fellow students, faculty members and visiting artists. "I worked with this group of senior studio art majors in the fall and enjoyed the development of their ideas and projects," says Micaela Vivero, an assistant professor in sculpture and the fall of 2005 practicum instructor. "We went together as a group through the work in process and the challenges of developing a cohesive body of work."

Assistant Professor Carrie Olson, who led the spring of 2006 practicum and teaches ceramics, says "I'm proud of the way the students in this class have pushed themselves this semester to bring their ideas to fruition; the resultant work is visually engaging and thought provoking. They have really come together as a community, supporting one another in their individual endeavors, and working collectively to create a dynamic exhibition."

A new development this year is the Bachelor of Fine Arts solo exhibition. "Our four BFA students will present their work in solo shows that will run concurrently with the group show. These exhibitions will take place in the small galleries inside Burke Hall," said Olson.

Students and faculty in the art department and others on campus eagerly await the senior group exhibition because it demonstrates the richness of diversity and creativity among Denison students. "This year's group of graduating seniors are artists working in a range of media that often overlap, blurring the lines that sometimes separate disciplines," says Associate Professor Ron Abram, chair of the department and printmaking professor. "I'm proud of them as a group, in their talent, industry and tenacity."

Denison University,Opening reception for the artists of the Denison Senior Art Exhibition, "Peepshow"; 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday (April 8), Burke Hall Gallery (240 W. Broadway). Show is open daily from 1 to 4 p.m. through Sunday (May 14). No admission charge. Call 740-587-6596 to confirm information.

Denison University,Solo exhibitions by senior candidates for the bachelor of fine arts degree; Joanna Dietz and Marnie Robinson, Saturday (April 8) through Wednesday, April 26, with opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday (April 8), Burke Hall Gallery (240 W. Broadway). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6596 to confirm information.

Denison University,Solo exhibitions by senior candidates for the bachelor of fine arts degree; Kate Armbrust and Kate Johnson, Thursday (April 27) through Sunday, May 14, with opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday (April 28), Burke Hall Gallery (240 W. Broadway). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6596 to confirm information.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTINGS: Denison University, Granville -- Graduating seniors' art symposium and reception; 11 a.m, Saturday (April 8), Burke Hall Gallery (240 W. Broadway). Free and open to the public. Call 740-587-6596 to confirm information.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

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