SRU BFA majors display capstone works as part of senior exhibitions

Works of art by Megan Hulings and Mikia Reid are featured in the first of two senior capstone exhibits at Slippery Rock University’s Martha Gault Art Gallery.

Nov. 28, 2017

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - The works of five Slippery Rock University art majors will be showcased during two senior capstone exhibitions at the Martha Gault Art Gallery.

   HULINGS

Staging a capstone exhibition is a requirement for the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

The exhibitions will display a variety of mediums, as each student will showcase the studio they most prefer. "Each student has a very different approach to art, each has a different process," said Theresa Antonellis, instructor of art and gallery director.

The exhibitions are developed, curated and directed by the students, allowing them to experience the entire process while also allowing them to "fulfill their own desires" according to Antonellis.

The first exhibition, showing now through Dec. 1, features "Ammorani: The Expedition" by Megan Hulings and "Interact" by Mikia Reid.

Reid, from Pittsburgh, who works in photography, said her work is an expression of her background. "I'm a city girl, so I'm going to give you the city," she said. "I want to create art that is relatable, and does so by channeling my personal experiences to showcase the everyday."

   REID

After completing her capstone project, Reid will student teach in the fall to complete her requirements for a bachelor's degree in art education.

Hulings, a native of Erie, used printmaking-linoleum block printing and monotype to create her exhibition works. Inspired by natural history museums and the ways in which various cultures develop, the fine arts major uses her works to create "fictitious languages and develop cultures to speak those languages," she said. "It's a world that I create. It's sort of like I'm giving people permission to see the side of me that I keep hidden."

The second exhibition, Dec. 4-8, will showcase "Diffidence" by Jessica Schrecengost from Munhall; "Heirloom" by Mikaela Skiljo from Sharon; and "dys . func . tion." by Alyssa Pauletich from West Pittsburg. There will be a 6 p.m., Dec. 4 opening reception to kickoff the exhibit.

Pauletich will present four collections of ceramic trios. "I wanted to see how far I could push the clay, so I started experimenting with traditional pottery techniques," she said.

Pauletich uses clay to create traditional pieces of pottery before rendering them into a dysfunctional sculpture that resembles its original form. "You'll still see it as a vase," she said, "but you won't be able to use it for the original function."

Skiljo will showcase seven chalk pastel drawings, each inspired by her grandmother's life. "My drawings are objects from her house that I remember most from growing up," she said. One drawing, "Silver Tea Set," is inspired by an anniversary gift. Skiljo plans to pursue either counseling or art education after graduating in December.

Schrecengost's "Diffidence" will feature portraits of friends and relatives either revealing or not revealing intimate aspects of themselves. The works will be linoleum cut printmaking on paper and embellished with embroidery.

The Martha Gault Art Gallery, located inside The Maltby Center, is open Monday-Friday from noon-5 p.m.

MEDIA CONTACT: Autumn Harth | 724.738.2091 | ash1010@sru.edu