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C of I senior art majors to present 2018 Senior Art Exhibition on April 20

April 18, 2018
The 2018 Senior Art Exhibition participants — Casey Alcoser, Melanie Miller, Paula Schneider, Barbara Downs, Quin McLaughlin, Jordan Scogin, Emily Hansen

Seven College of Idaho senior art majors will come together at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 20 to present the 2018 Senior Art Exhibition, “As Above, So Below,” at the Rosenthal Gallery of Art.

Each of the seven art majors — Melanie Miller, Casey Alcoser, Paula Schneider, Barbara Downs, Quin McLaughlin, Jordan Scogin and Emily Hansen — will present their personal artwork in a wide variety of media, from pen and ink and watercolor paints to wood, glass and acrylics. While each of the artists is presenting their unique work, they saw unifying themes begin to unveil themselves as they planned the exhibition, primarily the duality between light and darkness.

Melanie Miller, whose featured artwork at the exhibit engages with art history through the personal modification of famous pieces of art, said the show’s title stems from a phrase Alcoser stated when he gave each of his fellow art majors tarot card readings earlier in the year.

“We felt it resonated with us because half of our seniors have pieces that are more ‘dark’ in nature, while the other half is more ‘light,’” Miller said. “This duality led to our title — although we are different, we still mirror and inspire each other.”

Quin McLaughlin’s artwork takes inspiration from exploring the connections between biology and art, her two majors. Her pieces portray flora and fauna featuring geometric figures and lines.

“The underlying message behind this connection I hope to portray is both biology and art are a means of investigation,” McLaughlin said. “Both involve the generation of ideas and theories, and they are both attempts to comprehend and relate to the world around us.”

Barbara Downs’ work uses the artistic medium of assemblage, which uses three-dimensional elements projecting from a base, which she constructed primarily from Masonite.

“I paint the pieces with acrylic paint and glue them together, overlaying them to form the project,” Downs explained. “I have worked with all types of media in the past, but I prefer acrylic.”

Miller said the unique combination of each individual’s work makes this year’s exhibition one of the most adventurous since the annual show’s beginning, including several that use more physical and interactive installments than in previous exhibitions.

“Rather than just hanging pieces on a wall, we have artists who are trying to create an environment upon which the viewer must immerse themselves,” Miller said. “Some artists have darker themes such as death and illness, whereas others have lighter themes that use neon and high-contrast colors.”

McLaughlin said the individuality of each artist’s work is part of what makes this year’s show unique, featuring dynamic art styles as well as the showcasing the distinct creative vision of each artist.

“All of our work has a very deep and important meaning to us, and everything we create is a visual representation of important aspects of our lives,” McLaughlin said. “For all of us, our artwork is a pure expression of who we are as individuals. We share a passion for art, [even with] our stories and experiences incredibly diverse.”

The opening reception on April 20 is free to attend and will feature light refreshments. The artwork will remain in the Rosenthal Gallery through the end of the spring semester.

The College of Idaho has a 127-year-old legacy of excellence. The C of I is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition and history of producing successful graduates, including seven Rhodes Scholars, three governors and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom.  For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.