Select students will showcase their talents in the Binghamton University Art Museum’s annual spring exhibit.
The exhibit’s opening night will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, and the pieces will remain on display in the museum until May 15. An awards ceremony at 6 p.m. will honor 14 students.
According to Silva Ivanova, registrar for the museum, displays will include paintings, sculptures, drawings, printmaking, photography and mixed mediums.
“Our goal is to show as many pieces as possible,” Ivanova said.
To fill the exhibit, art professors at BU selected the works of more than 100 students to be presented.
Pamela Smart, an associate professor of anthropology and art, came up with the theme of “souvenirs” for her class’s exhibit. “Keeps: An Exhibition of Souvenirs,” will showcase the work of 38 of her students from her Museums and Art of Exhibitions course.
“The theme ‘souvenir’ was a unique and challenging topic that personalized the exhibit,” she said. “It’s about narrative experiences that bring the objects to life.”
According to Smart, the exhibit, which is a class assignment, was designed completely by her students.
“They collaborated and mounted the exhibit. They took full responsibility,” Smart said. “My students hope they will get an emotional response from the audience about their own pasts. I hope students come to the museum and get a great hands-on experience.”
Seven photography students studying under or working with Costa Sakellariou, an adjunct professor in art, will also be contributing to the museum’s exhibits.
“I enjoy the hands-on experience and the amount of time it takes to make,” Nathan Ely, a senior majoring in cinema, said of the black and white photography he developed for the show.
Ely will display his photography at the exhibit. Some of the pictures he developed are larger prints ranging from 26-by-38 to 42-by-60 inches in size. A variety of his photos are taken using only natural light.
Jackie Hogan, the museum’s assistant director, hopes the exhibits will also help expand interest in the art program.
“I hope viewers see the creativity in these artworks, and hopefully many more students can be a part of Binghamton’s studio art,” she said.
Entry to the museum is free of charge, but donations are accepted.