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Date 4-25-06
Contact Angela Kilcrease 601.266.4988
WITH PHOTO
Hattiesburg—After
years of intensive study, training and burning lots of midnight
oil, graduating seniors of the Department of Art and Design at the
University of Southern Mississippi will celebrate their academic
achievements May 2-12 with an exhibition of their works at the university’s
Museum of Art.
The show will
feature works of eight graduating visual art students. A reception
opens the exhibit from 4 to 6 p.m. on May 4 at the museum.
“We are very
proud of all our graduates, both in graphic communications and fine
arts,” said associate professor of art DeAnna Douglas. “Their work
in this exhibition demonstrates the level of professionalism that
our students have attained.”
A senior project
involves the creation and defense of a substantial body of work.
It is required of all students pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts
and an optional requirement for Bachelor of Arts students.
The exhibition
includes seven graphic communications students: Stephanie Fish of
Gulfport; Mary Frierson of Picayune; (Anzie) Ann Leverone Larosa
of Biloxi; Janet Marie Payne of Hoover, Ala.; Samantha Smith of
Brookhaven; Jared M. Walters of Laurel; and Margarita Rivera of
Gautier. One sculpture student, Angela Backes of Metairie, La.,
will also exhibit her work.
Backes’ work
is based on her belief that “humans are vessels.” “In my current
work, I focus on how a group of human vessels interacts with each
other,’” Backes said. “I use wheel-thrown clay vessels for each
person and cast iron legs to indicate that each of us is trying
to go somewhere in our life, but often get rooted in our situation
or attitude to the point that we are immobile.”
For the artist,
gender is a critical factor in these interactions. “This series
is particularly concerned with female interaction,” Backes said.
“As human beings, we carry so much with us, and for females, there
are unique burdens.”
Museum director
Mark Rigsby knows that a public exhibition is an important component
of the department’s program. “Being able to display a finely honed
body of work in a professional manner will help define the career
goals of our graduates,” he said.
The University
of Southern Mississippi Museum of Art is located in the Fine Arts
Building at the southwest corner of campus. The hours are Tuesday
- Friday, 10 a.m-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission
to the museum and reception is free and open to the public. School
and community groups are welcome. Call the Museum of Art at 601.266.5200
for more information.
For more information,
contact Angela Kilcrease at 601.266.4988 or visit the Web at www.usm.edu/arts.
Click to enlarge
Sculpture by Angela Backes of Metairie, La.
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