Student Exhibitions On Campus, In the Community
In Gerald Mead's DES 414 Senior Seminar, design students gain first-hand experience in all 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, students are responsible for securing the location; creating and distributing invitations; promoting their show; hanging and installing their artwork; and connecting with an audience.
This is all in addition to spending countless hours in a studio, creating and refining their work.
"Addressing all of the details that lead up to the exhibition gives the B.F.A. design majors critical experience that will prepare them for the challenges ahead," said Mead, lecturer of design. "I continue to be impressed by the creative and innovative themes for the exhibitions and all of the materials they design to market themselves."
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.
"Perhaps the most memorable aspect of the thesis exhibition for the students is the opportunity it provides them to publicly share a wide range of their talents with faculty, their fellow students, family friends, and other professionals in their field.”
Independently orchestrating a presentation of their work gives students valuable practical experience in a number of activities that they will be able to apply to their future careers as design professionals.
The student exhibitions that are part of this course include:
Eclectic Enclosures: Phone Case Design by Nathan James Palczynski
Held November 10–13
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda
Prismatic Saturation: Textile Works by Emily Beresford
Held November 13–23
Circulation Gallery, E. H. Butler Library, Buffalo State
Gallery hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Silver and Sawdust: Jewelry Store Rebrand by Heather Lee Whitehead
November 13–19
Mezzanine Gallery, E. H. Butler Library, Buffalo State
Gallery hours: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Refreshed and Rearranged: New Branding for Harris and Lever Florist by Genna Antonia
November 14–20
Harris and Lever Florist, 1225 Main Street, Niagara Falls
Gallery hours: Monday–Saturday, 9:00–5:00 p.m.
Altered Environments: Video Projections by Trever McConnell
November 17–20
Opening reception: Friday, November 20, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
A Moonlit Meadow: An Illustrated Children’s Book by Jenny Lipka
November 20–24
Opening reception: Friday, November 20, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 4:00–8:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 3:00–7:00 p.m.
Elemental Enemies: Character Illustrations by Kyle Maurer
November 20#–24
Opening reception: Friday, November 20, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday, noon–6:00 p.m.; Saturday, noon–4:00 p.m.
Theatrical Persona: Bar Branding for Matinee by Devin Jeffery
November 20–25
Opening reception: Friday, November 20, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Matinee, 698 Main St., Buffalo
Saturday#8211;Sunday, 4:00–7:00 p.m.; Monday–Wednesday, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Homefield Identity: Redesigned NFL logos by Patrick Martin
November 21–25
Opening reception: Saturday, November 21, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Campbell Student Union 219, Buffalo State
Gallery hours: by appointment.
Athletic Aesthetic: Poster Designs by Sean Pantling
November 28–29
Opening reception: Saturday, November 28, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Saturday, 7:00–9:00 p.m.; Sunday, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
2029: Illustrations by Dylan Goodsell
December 1–8
Opening reception: Friday, December 4, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Project 308 Gallery, 308 Oliver Street, North Tonawanda
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 7:00–9:00 p.m.