The WCU fine art museum had the Bachelor of Fine Arts portfolio exhibition on display until Dec. 8. There is an appeal to this annual exhibition that makes it unique to others displayed in the Fine Art Museum.
The BFA portfolio exhibition is comprised entirely of student work. Students pursuing their bachelor’s in fine arts are given the opportunity to create work that will be on display to the public. This gives students a unique opportunity to create something meaningful and share it with audiences beyond their peers and professors.
The exhibition is an exciting feast for the eyes, as it offers new and diverse perspectives on many different subjects. There are pieces about the inner workings of the mind, living with disabilities, the corruption of the economy and the invasion of private spaces.
This year the exhibition featured 12 student artists enrolled in the portfolio class. They worked with a variety of mediums, making the exhibition come to life with colors and textures. There were installation pieces, interactive pieces, sculptures and a variety of paintings.
The work for this portfolio is completed over the course of a semester by seniors pursuing a BFA in art with a studio emphasis.
Josh Masters is a senior in the studio art program, and he credits this class and others like it for familiarizing him with working in a studio.
Masters has an impressive piece on display in the exhibition. The piece, Divisive Perceptions features floor to ceiling canvases depicting members of queer and disabled communities depicted in intimate settings.
“These pieces are a little bit more personal to me because I am part of both of these communities and I find that making art about myself can be a little bit harder so instead I’ve widened the scope a bit and made it more about the community,” Masters said.
The display also features an extensive collection of ceramic artworks. The studio art program at WCU has given Masters a chance to experience different art forms. Over the course of his time here he has gained a new appreciation for ceramic art.
“Moving to the mountains where there’s tons of ceramics around here. It’s one of our really big strengths in the area for the arts,” Masters said. “And oh my god, it’s so much fun to play with clay, it’s like you’re a kid again.”
Working with many different mediums is an exciting part of the BFA Studio Art program curriculum. Linzy Rainess is another senior with a piece on display in the exhibition. Her piece, Invasion of Privacy, features five painted canvases that provide an interesting perspective into the bathroom.
Rainess is double majoring in Fine Arts and forensic anthropology. Through her studies in forensics, she brings a new perspective to her art.
The BFA Portfolio Exhibition started in 2005, and it is an exciting and colorful display of a variety of perspectives.
The BFA Portfolio Exhibition was on display through Dec. 8 in the WCU Fine Art Museum. The museum is free and open to the public Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Thursday until 7 p.m.
