Student Juried Exhibition blows ‘hot air’

Who’s full of hot air? Elon University artists, that’s who.

The theme of this year’s Student Juried Exhibition, “Hot Air?,” promises to inspire many of the best and brightest artists Elon has to offer.
Hosted annually by the students of ART 380: Professional Practice, the SJE is an opportunity for Elon’s artists, regardless of major, to have their artwork displayed in Arts West.

“This year, students were able to submit any type of artwork they wish — whether it was sculptural, canvas-based, photography or even video,” said senior Caitlin Rantala, a member of the Professional Practice class.

The pieces that make it into the show are selected by an independent three-person jury consisting of graduate students from UNC Chapel Hill who are working on their masters degrees in fine arts.

Students who make the cut are eligible to win up to $50 in prizes.

The members of Professional Practice, taught by associate professor of art Michael Fels, are responsible for coordinating the event, including setting the requirements for the artwork to selecting the food served at the opening reception Nov. 12.

Professional Practice is a class designed to help prepare art majors for the “real world” of professional art, Rantala said.

The students formed different committees to help the organization process go more smoothly. Senior Monica Huang was involved in selecting the jurors, but she also helped with other facets of the event.

“It’s a lot of responsibility, in a good way,” Huang said. “There is a lot of student and senior pride to be experienced when putting something this big together all by ourselves.”

Rantala said she agrees that the success of planning and executing the exhibit requires the cooperation and determination of everyone involved.

“While we all have certain areas we’re in charge of, the success of it all really boils down to a team effort,” Rantala said.

The students are all expected to help with the installation committee, which is charged with developing the gallery space for the artworks. Putting together such a large project creates unity among various art majors from different disciplines and gives them a taste of the curatorial side of art.

“I didn’t know many of the other art majors,” said Huang, who is concentrating in ceramics. “I’ve made some new friends.”

More than just a final project for ART 380, the SJE art show is an opportunity to see how much artistic talent the Elon student body at large possesses.