Downtown gallery continues enriching community’s art culture through CMU senior art projects
Grand Junction – The Colorado Mesa University Department of Art and Design announced Embodiment — the fourth and final art exhibition of 2019 showcasing CMU student artwork. Open to the community, 437CO, the CMU downtown art gallery, will feature the exhibition beginning May 3.
Embodiment will feature sculptures and paintings by graduating seniors from created for a senior seminar course. Students coordinate the exhibits as preparation for future professional careers in the visual arts. Embodiment will showcase the work of three graduating seniors.
Adrina Anders’ realistic oil paintings depict humans and dogs, capturing the unspoken connections and individual expressions that exist between the two connected species, or amongst groups of dogs.
Addie Mingilton is an acrylic painter whose work addresses representations of the minority figure in art. Her paintings depict the everyday life of her mixed-race family.
Sam Speir uses hand crafting and mass production methods to create an immersive installation that pushes viewers to reflect on connections through mass media and the disassociation of daily behaviors from mass media.
Professor of Art History Meghan Bissonnette, PhD, believes senior seminar projects are a community favorite in terms of anticipation due to the display’s representation of the entire tenure of CMU students.
“This year’s senior seminar projects are truly intimate in nature and are among the most anticipated of the year,” said Bissonnette. “From the personal reflection on family to the evolutionary connections between species, this year’s projects give you a sense of closeness to the students through their work.”
The addition of a new free transportation route from CMU to downtown Grand Junction makes the gallery exhibitions all the more accessible for CMU students and the community.
“CMU’s downtown exhibitions are gaining popularity as art enthusiasts as well as laypersons gain awareness of the dynamic art being created through CMU programs by CMU students,” said Professor of Art Suzie Garner.
CMU Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, Michael Mansheim, recently rode the complementary Grand Valley Transit Dash route from CMU to the Gallery and attended a previous student exhibition along with other students and CMU staff.
“CMU’s art students are a tremendous asset to CMU, downtown and the western Colorado art scene,” said Mansheim. “We encourage area visitors to check out the gallery and see what CMU faculty and students have to offer in terms of art and artists in the community.”
A community reception will include student artists and begins at 5pm on May 3. The opening event will feature wine from Carlson Vineyards and beer from Palisade Brewing Company.
For more information, call the CMU Department of Art and Design at 970.248.1833 or visit 437CO.