WCSU art class curates exhibit at Brookfield Craft Center

Western Connecticut State University  Adjunct Professor of Art  Melissa Ralston-Jones is working with the Brookfield Craft Center's Executive Director Howard Lasser and his assistant Jillian Doherty to incorporate WestConn art classes to help curate the center's upcoming exhibit, "Redefining Identity." The exhibit's opening reception will be at 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, at the center at 286 Whisconier Road in Brookfield. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Ralston-Jones has brought her Art 258 Gallery Techniques class to experience the process of setting up for an exhibit and the practices involved with the entire process. She said, "This class walks them through the entire process of curation from the development of a theme, an exhibit title, the artists and work chosen for exhibition; writing press releases, designing marketing materials and promotion of event; along with receiving, arranging and installation of artwork and the importance of event planning and public relations within this career path."

"Redefining Identity" features five artists exploring the unique ways they interpret the human form, revealing their own self-identity and how they perceive and express the identities of others. Artwork will include a selection of paintings, and bronze and clay objects. Participating artists are: Colette Aimee, of Bennington, Vermont; David Boyajian, of New Fairfield; Shelby Head, of Wilton; Bruce Horan, of Norwalk; and Jennifer McCandless, of Windsor.

Ralston-Jones said, "I know Howard through working at WestConn. We sat on a committee for the Ives Center, and from there, our partnership grew. Howard contacts me when he has projects in mind and looks for students from our program. It is a great asset for the students in the art program at WestConn to have these experiences to fill out their resumes."

"We are excited about this collaboration," Lasser said. "Reaching out to other educational organizations, giving others the opportunity to utilize our facility, is one of our key goals in expanding our presence in the creative community. This is a win-win for us and for WestConn."

For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.

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Submitted by Brookfield, CT

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