In Gerald Mead’s DES 414 Senior Seminar, design students gain first-hand experience in all the facets of being a working designer or craft artisan.
As a requirement of Mead’s 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.
"Each semester brings a diverse range of thematic approaches to the thesis exhibition requirement,” said Mead (pictured at left), lecturer of design.
A successful designer must balance the roles of event-planner, promoter, and curator. Moreover, they have to prepare and maintain a portfolio; market their work for representation, sale, or freelance commissions; 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.
Independently orchestrating a presentation of their work gives students practical experience in project management that they will be able to apply to their future careers.
"The exhibition firmly demonstrates the high level of expertise these students have obtained through their study at the college,” said Mead. “It is very appropriate for them to share those talents with the public as well as their family, friends, and colleagues. I continue to be impressed by the thoughtful organization, presentation, and marketing of each of the exhibitions.”
The student exhibitions that are part of this course include:
At Your Finger Tips: Branding and Nail Design by Amy Giordano
October 30–November 4
Opening reception: Friday, October 31, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
1045 Elmwood Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Manipulated Identities: T-Shirt Illustrations by Eric Robinson
October 30–November 4
Opening reception: Friday, October 31, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
1045 Elmwood Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
BUFF-ALE-OH: Brewing Company Designs by Allison Frank
November 8–13
Opening reception: Saturday, November 8, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Foundry Suites Hotel, 1738 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Gallery hours: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Fabricated Chroma: Functional Jewelry by Stephanie Kahn
November 10–14
Closing reception: Friday, November 14, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Dr. Margaret Eschner Bacon Student Gallery, Upton Hall 234, Buffalo State
Gallery hours: By appointment
Natural Deviation: Jewelry and Metalwork by Sarah Kieffer
November 14–19
Opening reception: Friday, November 14, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Living Celebrations: Designed Invitations by Kimberly LaGreca
November 21–26
Opening reception: Friday, November 21, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Tagged Wardrobe: Clothing Company Branding by Briana Ridge
November 21–24
Opening reception: Friday, November 21, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver St., North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Aesthetic Kinetics: Interactive Designs and Contraptions by Chad Hornberger
November 27–30
Opening reception: Friday, November 28, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
1045 Elmwood Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Against the Grind: Skateboard Designs by Thomas Barlette
November 28–December 3
Opening reception: Friday, November 28, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 1:00–5:00 p.m.
Apocalyptic Suits: Playing Card Designs by Bunk Baird
November 29–December 3
Opening reception: Saturday, November 29, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Locally Untapped: Craft Beer Packaging by William Kufel
November 29–December 3
Opening reception: Saturday, November 29, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Blissfully Brewed: Café Branding by Charlene Fratello
November 29–December 4
Opening reception: Saturday, November 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver St., North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Reduce Reuse Realize: Environmental Awareness Branding by Ellise Williams
November 29–December 4
Opening reception: Saturday, November 29, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver St., North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Botanically Graceful: Jewelry and Metalwork by Megan Connell
December 4–8
Opening reception: Friday, December 5, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
1045 Elmwood Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Thursday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Nearly Monochromatic: Printed Graphics by Brandi Crichlow
December 4–8
Opening reception: Friday, December 5, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
1045 Elmwood Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 a.–4:00 p.m.
Raw Art: Urban Culture Inspired Illustrations by Lincoln Bovell
December 4–10
E. H. Butler Library, 1300 Elmwood Ave. Circulation Gallery (1st floor); Mezzanine (2nd floor), Buffalo State
Gallery hours: Monday–Sunday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Impressions of Italia: Jewelry and Textiles by Destiny Perez
December 5–10
Opening reception: Friday, November 5, 6:00–10:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Beauty Marque: Cosmetic Branding and Packaging by Latina Sell
December 5–11
Opening reception: Friday, December 5
Fracassi Lashes (between Lord & Taylor and Macy's, Walden Galleria Mall)
Boutique hours: Monday-Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 10 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Recasting Buffalo: Photographic manipulation by Jeff Kennard
December 6–12
Opening reception: Saturday, December 6, 7:00–10:00 pm.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver St., North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m., and by appointment.
Unfolded Fables: Handcrafted Books by Matthew Catanese
December 6–12
Opening reception: Saturday, December 6, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver St., North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Instrumental Ink: Illustrated Band Posters by Tom Cavanagh
December 11–15
Opening reception: Friday, December 12, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
1045 Elmwood Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave.
Gallery hours: Thursday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Saturday-Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Polygonal Profiles: Portrait Designs by Miles Jackson
December 11–15
Opening reception: Friday, December 12, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
1045 Gallery, 1045 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Buffalo On Tap: Beer Label Designs by Amanda Lonergan
December 12–17
Opening reception: Friday, December 12, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Wednesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Paper Fantasies: Redesigned Book Layouts by Stephen Danison
December 12–17
Opening reception: Friday, December 12, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 1:00–5:00 p.m.