Student Design Exhibitions Showcase More Than Art

A successful artist must balance the roles of event-planner, promoter, and curator. Moreover, artists have to prepare and maintain a portfolio, market their work for representation and sale, seek and apply for exhibitions, and hone their resume-writing and interview skills. This is all in addition to spending countless hours in a studio, creating and refining their work. In Gerald Mead’s DES 414 Senior Seminar, design students gain first-hand experience in all the facets of being a working artist.

As a requirement of the course, each student must have a solo exhibition. Whether the exhibition is on or off campus, the students are responsible for securing the location, creating and distributing invitations, promoting their show, hanging and installing their artwork, and connecting with their audience.

Independently orchestrating a show gives students practical experience that they will be able to apply to their future careers.

Student exhibitions included in this project:

Vincent Pontillo
Here Me: A Multimedia Installation by Vincent Pontillo
Location: Dr. Margaret Eschner Bacon Student Gallery
Held March 26–30

John Harris
Casting Culture
Location: Dr. Margaret Eschner Bacon Student Gallery
Held April 2–6

Jennifer Dref
Samples: Textile Designs by Jennifer Dref
Location: Space 224 Gallery, 224 Allen Street, Buffalo
Held April 12–17

Dan Tiebor
Mirrored Identities: Corporate Branding by Dan Tiebor
Location: E. H. Butler Library, Mezzanine Gallery (second floor)
Held April 16–20

Kristen Gubocki
Unpacking the Process
Location: SP@CE 224, 224 Allen Street, Buffalo
Held April 20–23

Dorothy Rapp
Cellular Abstracts: Jewelry and Metal Designs by Dorothy Rapp
Location: Dr. Margaret Eschner Bacon Student Gallery
Dates: April 23–26

Alyssa Ciliberto
Untold Impressions
Location: ZGM Fine Arts Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Dates: April 24-28
Closing reception: Saturday, April 28, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Joseph Celestino
Spectral Ambiance: Watercolor Paintings by Joseph Celestino
Location: ZGM Fine Arts Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Dates: April 25–28
Closing Reception: Saturday, April 28, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Lena Scapillato
D. Formed: Metal Designs by Lena Scapillato
Location: Space 224 Gallery, 224 Allen Street, Buffalo
Dates: April 26–May 1
Opening reception: Friday, April 27, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Andrew Henesey
Principle Design: Typographic Posters by Andrew Henesey
Location: 464 Gallery, 464 Amherst Street, Buffalo
Dates: April 27–May 1
Opening reception: Friday, April 27, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Briana Edwards
Creative Suits: Playing Card Designs by Briana Edwards
Location: ZGM Fine Arts Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Dates: May 1–5
Opening Reception: Tuesday, May 1, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

R. J. Sturgess
(UN) Natural Selection: Ceramic Work by R. J. Sturgess
Location: 20 Auburn Street, Buffalo
Dates: May 4–10
Opening Reception: Friday, May 4, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Kelly Caruso and Erin Curry
Homegoods
Location: 567 Exchange Street Studios, Buffalo
Dates: May 5-15
Opening reception: Friday, May 4, 7–10:00 p.m.