The UHCL Art Gallery unveiled a variety of pieces created by some of the Bachelor of Fine Art’s students on April 13. The event was sponsored by the UHCL Alumni Association and Saint Arnold Brewing Company.
The annual UHCL Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition is typically a juried show. This year, the show was juried by Dennis Nance, curator of Galveston Arts Center. The work featured in the exhibit includes paintings, printmaking, ceramics, sculptures and digital media created by students throughout their journey at UHCL.
The exhibition’s opening reception offered complimentary refreshments including beverages provided by Saint Arnold Brewing Company. Jeffery Bowen, coordinator of audience development at the UHCL Art Gallery, welcomed students, faculty and family of the featured artists as they came out to show their support and view the various pieces of artwork.
“I really enjoy seeing the satisfaction of the students who participate in the show,” Bowen said. “This exhibition is about them, and the reception is a celebration of their achievements. It’s inspiring to witness their sense of accomplishment as they see their artworks proudly displayed on the gallery walls.”
The exhibition features 20 of UHCL’s graduating students who stood proud and eager to show off their accomplishments from their years spent at UHCL. The students featured were from various majors such as communication, art and education.
In order for their work to be considered, students were encouraged to submit up to five of their best original piece for possible acceptance for the Bachelor of Fine Arts exhibit.
“Several of the artists submitted multiple pieces,” Nance said. “I considered each group of works when narrowing down the selection, as well as other works in the show, in hopes of creating a balance that reflects the work being made at UHCL now. I felt the artists I selected had work that made me interested in seeing more.”
Cash rewards were awarded for first, second and third place. The first place winner received a $200 cash reward, second place received $125, third place received $75, and there was also a student who was recognized for an honorable mention.
When choosing the winners, Nance judged the artists by their total body of work within the exhibit and not by one specific piece. Dawn Hailey received the honorable mention award, Amanda Varela received third place, Viridiana Navarro received second place and Natasha Dewar received first place.
Dewar is an art and design major with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in art history. Dewar will be graduating this spring and hopes to find employment in the graphic design field. Dewar submitted four pieces for the exhibition, and all four of her pieces were selected.
All of Dewar’s pieces were inkjet print of digital photographs. Inkjet prints is a type of computer printing that recreates a digital image by propelling droplets of ink onto paper, plastic or other substrates.
“My photos came from me wanting to experiment with the look of double exposure photography,” Dewar said. “To me, double exposure creates a somewhat haunting and mysterious feel. I want someone to look at my photos and be a little curious of the subject, not just take them at face value.”
Dewar’s photos featured in the exhibit are a part of a two-part series that can be seen on her online portfolio.
Also among the featured artists was Rosa Valdovino, a former student who graduated December 2016 with a BFA with a concentration in art and design studio and an art history minor. Two of Valdovino’s pieces were chosen to be featured in the exhibition. One entitled “The Airbender”, is a part of an elemental series Valdovino created in her at-home studio.
“I’m doing an elemental series and “The Airbender” signifies air or wind,” Valdovino said. “The arrows signify looking for your purpose in life and finding your guidance.”
Valdovino’s other featured piece is entitled “Autorretrato”, which translates to “self-portrait” in English. This piece is also a part of Valdovino’s elemental series, which can be found, along with her other work on her website.
The exhibit will be available for viewing at the UHCL Art Gallery until May 11. The art gallery’s hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon. The gallery is located on the first floor of the Bayou Building and admission is free.