WCSU presents virtual exhibition featuring twenty-three graduating art students’ works

Twenty-three Western Connecticut State University undergraduate art majors who are candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in 2021 are presenting their works in the Virtual Senior Portfolio Exhibition currently featured in Flickr albums open to public viewing on the WCSU Department of Art web page. An in-person exhibition of a limited selection of these works will be held during May at the Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Road in Brookfield.

The virtual exhibition, presented by the Gallery at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU in Danbury, offers the public an opportunity to experience the diverse works in graphic design, illustration, photography and studio arts created by this year’s B.A. in Visual Art candidates. Closure of the VPAC Gallery to the public during the pandemic has made on-site installation and viewing at the Gallery impossible, but the virtual tour provides a creative response that opens the exhibition to all through online access.

Through the web page link, https://www.wcsu.edu/art/gallery/exhibitions/2021-senior-portfolio-exhibition/, online guests are invited to view the entire portfolio of works shown by the 23 seniors participating in the exhibition. Flickr albums may be accessed to view portfolios for each student artist in the four concentrations in the B.A. in Visual Art program. This year’s virtual exhibition features five art majors with a concentration in graphic design, six in illustration, seven in photography and five in studio arts/painting.

WCSU also is collaborating with the Brookfield Craft Center to afford B.A. candidates the opportunity to offer a limited in-person exhibition of their works from May 1 through 30 at the arts organization’s Lynn Tendler Bignell Gallery. The public may view select pieces from student portfolios from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 pm. Sunday during the exhibition run. Admission will be free and the public is requested to observe social distancing and mask requirements as well as posted capacity limits on the number of guests allowed in the gallery at one time.

The WCSU Department of Art organizes the Senior Portfolio Exhibition each spring as a capstone experience for students pursuing the B.A. in Visual Art degree with concentration in graphic design, illustration, photography or studio arts/painting. Portfolio selections from the following 2021 B.A. in Visual Art candidates are featured in the virtual and in-person exhibitions:

• Graphic Design: Emily Calano, of East Hartford; Joelle McCue, of South Salem, New York; Bridget Monks, of Trumbull; Brian Payne, of New Haven; and Francisco Ramirez, of Stamford.
• Illustration: Conor Burke, of Southbury; Joseph Eller, of Danbury; Danielle Nielsen, of Bethel; Amanda Palladino, of Bristol; Mary Tedesco, of Bethel; and Matthew Wixted, of New Fairfield.
• Photography: Jakari Austin, of East Hartford; Daniel Baker, of Danbury; Patrick Burns, of Mahopac, New York; Macayla Cody, of Glastonbury; Rae O’Hara, of East Haven; William Parrott, of Naugatuck; and Sarah Sprogis, of Shelton.
• Studio Arts/Painting: Anna Boers, of West Hartford; Emily Mansi, of Seymour; Philicia Matturie, of Danbury; Julia Sterc, of Mahopac, New York; and Ava Westervelt, of New Milford.

For more information, contact Lori Robeau of the Department of Art at robeaul@wcsu.edu or Sherri Hill of the Office of University Relations at hills@wcsu.edu.