The Student Fine Art Show at the Haggerty Museum of Art filled the upper and lower galleries with hundreds of people. From 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., students, artists and admirers gathered in the small space, proving once in for all that art exists at Marquette, and even more, that students crave such a creative outlet.
For the fifth year running, Marquette’s own Haggerty Museum of Art has organized an evening for MIAD and MU artists to display what they deem as “art.” For students this form of expression ranged from paintings and sculptures to performing arts.
“It’s such a hidden community,” said junior Andrew Keating.
The Haggerty Museum of Art and MU’s Art Club worked closely together to achieve the success of the event.
“It was definitely a consistent effort by everyone,” said Victoria Taylor, president of the Art Club. “The atmosphere for this evening is really welcoming and opening,” Taylor said of the environment for aspiring artists. Taylor submitted a piece entitled “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter,” which was an acrylic painting of Fabio crying. Because the event generated such a high level of interest, a large number of students submitted their pieces of art.
In total, there were over 50 entries submitted by over 30 artists, said Lynn Shumow, curator of Education at the Haggerty.
Francesca Cozzone, a sophomore art major, submitted an untitled oil painting of the sun. Cozzone painted the piece for a friend’s birthday present, focusing on the colors of red, orange and white.
For most of the contributors of the evening, art is an outlet of expression, but not a career.
Photography was a one of the more popular features found at the student night. Junior Jack Bartlet submitted two untitled pieces he described as “urban shooting.”
Self-portraits were also scattered throughout the works. Student Jamie Bolker, who has taken classes at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, submitted two pieces for the event, including a self-portrait created in charcoal and ink.
“I really got excited when I found out that Marquette does something like this,” Bolker said.
In comparison to last year, there was a quite an increase in the levels of student participation and awareness of the event, noted Shumow. “This year, we really focused on getting the word out and publicizing the event more. It definitely worked.”
Throughout the event, a number of performances took place in the lower gallery. Junior Peter Woods stood out with a unique approach to performing art, creating a distorted and experimental sound with a violin, guitar pedals, amps and recordings from Waiting for Godot, a speech from Hitler’s last day.
“It’s really about nightmares,” Woods said. “I’m kind of obsessed with them right now.”
Woods’ avant-guard performance is a result of larger group in which he participates, the Milwaukee Noise Fest.
Other performers of the evening included senior Kyle Shamorian, as well as senior Mike Luede, who both played songs on guitar.
“I’m really eclectic,” Luedke said, who showed his love of art with an electric guitar.
In the future, the Haggerty Art Museum hopes to continue its gallery openings for students and others who appreciate art of all kinds from the MU college perspective.
“I think it’s nice that students have a place here,” Shumow said.
Popularity: 26% [?]
