On Saturday, Sept. 28, the Hillsdale Art Department hosted a reception at the Sage Center for the Arts to celebrate the new exhibition of the art faculty’s visual work.
Entitled “Joyful Discovery: Visual Art at Hillsdale College,” the exhibit features work by Professors of Art Barbara Bushey, Anthony Frudakis, Samuel Knecht, and Lecturers in Art Douglas Coon, Bryan Springer, and Katherine Taylor, all of whom were present at the premiere.
Bushey, excited about the event, said that she hopes students will “come and see how we celebrate beauty in the world.”
She said the exhibit demonstrates how important art is because it helps to “develop visual sense” and be “good observers.”
The pieces on display demonstrate the wide variety in style and expertise among the faculty. Springer put a large sampling of graphic design work on display. He specifically pointed to the “Johnny Appleseed” logo he designed for Chapman’s Brewing Co., describing it as “a fun one” he has done in recent months.
Knecht contributed several pieces depicting landscapes and natural scenes. He described his art as “a celebration of natural beauty,” as demonstrated in his painting “Where the River Cleaves,” a nature painting filled with detail and natural colors.
Coon, the staff photographer, focused mainly on landscape photography. While he doesn’t have a favorite, he says that people seem to be drawn to his photograph of Capital Reef, a striking landscape shot of a desert valley littered with trees.
Like Coon, Frudakis, who specializes in sculpting, can’t choose a favorite work.
“For artists,” he said, “That is like asking us to choose between different children.”
Each piece, Frudakis explained, gives the artist a different experience, like his sculpture “Angel,” which developed into an angel over time.
“The work leads us” Frudakis said.
He divides his work into spiritual pieces and female nudes, which he said tap into the classical idea of women as a symbol of the soul.
Taylor chose a selection of paintings to include in the show that revolve around seeing beauty in the everyday. Of all her paintings, she says that the portrait of her daughter is her favorite.
However, she considers her landscape “November Fields” to be one of her strongest pieces. It depicts what she called an average barn shrouded in mists, and, combined with the majestic colors of the sunset, created an aura of beauty and mystique.
With all the talent on display at this exhibit, the number of students and teachers who arrived at the event is no surprise, and the crowd that arrived extended far beyond only art majors.
Senior Alexi Noble said she attended the show because she likes art. She said she was impressed by the exhibit.
“It is a really good show,” Noble said.
Joe Craig, a senior art major, said it was important to attend the premiere because he had had classes with most of the artists displaying their work. He described the art departments output as “impressive.” According to Craig, students who fail to take advantage of the college’s art program are missing out.
“Joyful Discovery” continues until Friday, Nov. 15th.
