UNT on the Square exhibition shows offbeat work from art students

Tuesday, October 11, 2016 - 14:29

What: It’s Conceptual, an exhibition featuring a wide variety of artwork from students in the Professional Practices in Studio Art class at the College of Visual Arts and Design at the University of North Texas.

When: Oct. 31 (Monday) – Nov. 5 (Saturday). The reception will run from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28.

Where: UNT on the Square, 109 N. Elm St., on Denton's historic courthouse square.

Cost: Free

More information: Call 940-369-8257 or find more information, including directions, at UNT on the Square online.

 

DENTON (UNT), Texas ― A class at the University of North Texas’ College of Visual Arts and Design will show off its latest artwork at UNT on the Square — and learn a few things in preparation for their professional career.

The 42 students in the Professional Practices in Studio Art course are organizing It’s Conceptual, an exhibition running from Oct. 31 (Monday) to Nov. 5 (Saturday). The reception will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 28.

The students chose to title the exhibition It’s Conceptual as a tongue-in-cheek expression, highlighting the absurd task of bringing together 42 disparate artists in any sort of cohesive or meaningful way. Their pieces will reflect the title by conveying an underlying sense of humor. All media will be represented, with students coming from majors of drawing and painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, fibers and new media.

The class was split into three groups — publicity, installation and finance — to organize the show. Most of the students have never created proposals, letters of interest and artist statements they will need to apply for exhibitions in the future, but it’s something they will frequently practice as working artists, said Benjamin Terry, the class’ instructor and an adjunct professor at UNT.

Senior drawing and painting major Nat Olmo noted they will learn another aspect that will help them in their careers.

“Hopefully, by putting this show together, we will learn a lot about collaborating because it’s not something that gets taught early on,” she said.

Terry said he tells students to be sincere and themselves in every aspect of their creative practice, because their interests, background and cultural heritage are unique.

“I always tell my students that showing their personality in whatever it is they do is the most important thing they can do,” Terry said. “That’s what’s going to be able to separate them from anybody else. If they tell their own personal story, it’s going to be interesting.”

 

UNT News Service
News_Service@unt.edu
(940) 565-2108