ISSUED: 3 April 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Cecelia Mason
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — As the academic year closes, Shepherd University’s graduating studio art majors must exhibit a collection of their work in a professional gallery or setting. Students must organize the event—from finding a space to hold the exhibit, to promoting it, creating a catalogue of the works shown, setting it up, and taking it down.
Students are presenting their work as a part of their capstone experience—a final project they complete in their major before graduating.
“It feels surreal,” said Margaret Orlando, an art major from Gainesville, Virginia. “After coming in with no art classes under my belt and taking painting as an art elective to moving through all the art classes that I could take and weaving through it all to finally being in capstone, it hasn’t set in yet. I know once I hand everything in and have my reception, it’ll finally hit me, I can say I’ve curated my own show.”
The goal of the exhibitions is to prepare students for the workforce and the world outside of education. It is a large undertaking, but students like Orlando have support from the art professors.
“I would like to thank Evan Boggess for helping me find my style and process, and Sonya Evanisko for providing honest feedback,” Orlando said. “Mike Mendez offered a different perspective. Kay Dartt helped me build my panels. Lastly, to the other professors who have helped me look at art with an open mind.”
The exhibitions are free and located throughout the Shepherdstown area. The public is encouraged to visit them to see what has been blooming in the contemporary art program.
The following students will have exhibits:
- Clark, “Reach,” Alma Bea, 202 E. Washington St., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 5 (reception), 6, 12, and 13, 4-8 p.m.
- Emma Williams, “The Art of Surviving,” Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History and Education, 213 N. King St., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 5 (reception), 6-12, 4-7 p.m.
- Scout Purdy, “How Do You Feel,” Evolve, 106 W. German St., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 5 (reception), 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; April 6, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; and April 7, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
- Mackenzie Stotler, “The Red Thread of Faith,” outside between the softball field and cemetery, 120 University Dr., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 5 (reception), 6, 13, and 14, 4-7 p.m.
- Lillie Ketterman, “Permanent Blur,” old Federal Courthouse, 300 W. King St., Martinsburg, West Virginia. April 12 (reception and exhibit), 4-8 p.m.,
- Kateri Kingfield, “Years,” G03 hallway, Center for Contemporary Arts II, 62 W. Campus Dr., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 12 (reception), 13, and 14, 4-7 p.m.
- Margaret Jean, “Murmurations,” Phaze 2 Gallery, 62 W. Campus Dr., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 12 (reception), 13, and 14, 4-7 p.m.
- Nicholas Gilbert, “Trance Ending,” Copper Canyon patio between Center for Contemporary Arts buildings, 62 W. Campus Dr., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 12 (reception), 4-7 p.m.
- Kalin Gregg, “The Final Courses,” Evolve, 106 W. German St., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 12 (reception) and 13, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; April 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Sikara Sokel, Prema Baughman, and Sadie Palmer, “The Light You Cast,” War Memorial Building, 102 E. German St., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 12 (reception) and 13, noon-8 p.m.; April 14, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Shannon Thomas, “A View to a Mill,” Shepherd’s Mill, 207 E. High St., Shepherdstown, West Virginia. April 12 (reception), 4-7 p.m.; April 13 and 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The following map will help you find each exhibit:
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