ISSUED: 19 November 2014
MEDIA CONTACT: Valerie Owens
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — More than 100 Shepherd University art students, faculty, and alumni are offering the public the opportunity to purchase original, handmade art during the second annual Art Market on Friday, December 5, from 3-7 p.m. in the ground floor studios of the Center for Contemporary Arts I, rooms 112-115.
“There will be wonderful works of original art and design, and a lively community of excited students eager to talk with visitors about their work,” said Rhonda Smith, Department of Contemporary Art and Theater chair.
The Art Market will include one-of-a-kind drawings, paintings, printmaking, mixed media, sculpture, handmade jewelry, knitted scarves, silk screened T-shirts, photography, and books. There will also be various graphic design products, such as note cards, postcards, posters, and stickers. This year’s featured artist is former graphic design faculty member, Melissa Scotton, founder of Design Equals Love.
“The Art Market allows students the experience of marketing their work to a larger audience and gives the public a better understanding of contemporary art,” said Stephanie Robbins Thulin, associate professor of art. “We are an active department and this event, in addition to our senior exhibitions in the spring, really showcases all the amazing work our students are creating.”
Sonya Evanisko, professor of art and coordinator of the painting program, said the Art Market offers the community an opportunity to see the studio spaces in the CCA and gives students a chance to learn how to display their work and offer it for sale.
“It’s a good opportunity for students to take the skills they gain in classes like Professional Practices and apply that in a real market or gallery setting,” Evanisko said. “Titling, pricing, and presenting the work are all aspects of emerging as a professional artist.
“It’s also a good experience for the public to be able to see the diversity of the work students make and to be able to purchase original work at a good price point,” Evanisko added. “You’re supporting artists, and you’re shopping local.”
Dorothy Gertz, an art student from Hagerstown, Maryland, will offer copies of her pictorial story book “The Woods,” which she said is about a boy on a journey to regain himself.
“It’s a good experience and an opportunity to become better known locally,” Gertz said.
Wilson Gross, a painting and drawing major from Morgantown, will sell hand-painted back patches of tattoo imagery.
“I think it’s a good opportunity to give people access to your artwork who might not be able to get it,” Gross said.
Caliph Green of Winchester, Virginia, said the Art Market allows him to show the public work he’s been doing in his advanced painting class
“I’m pretty excited about it,” he said.
The Art Market is free and open to the public. Cash and checks will be accepted, but not credit cards. Parking is limited near the CCA, but guests may park in any nearby lot after 4 p.m. without a permit.
For more information, contact Evanisko at sevanisk@shepherd.edu, or the department office at 304-876-5224 or visit www.facebook.com/events/1504211596485208
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