Student Exhibitions On Campus, In the Community

April 9, 2015

Mark Norris

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.

"The B.F.A. design majors enrolled in this course continue to create innovative and inspired work," said Mead, lecturer of design. "The exhibitions are often the highlight of their studies in their respective concentrations."

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.

"In reality, the most important benefits of this course to students are developing project management skills and successfully interacting with other professionals in the community such as commercial printers, gallery owners, and the press.”

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:

Powered Identity: Fictional Character Posters by Kevin Beam
Held March 27–April 1
464 Gallery, 464 Amherst St., Buffalo

Rational Paradox: Jewelry and Metalwork by Kira Bisson
Held March 30–April 3
Dr. Margaret Eschner Bacon Student Gallery, Upton Hall 234, Buffalo State

Buddhist Mindmaps: Illustrations and Diagrams by Sayumi Miura
April 6–10
Opening reception: Thursday, April 9, 12:15–1:30 p.m.
Dr. Margaret Eschner Bacon Student Gallery, Upton Hall 234
Gallery hours: Monday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

A Hound’s Hope: Book Illustrations by Seth Hughes
April 9–11
Opening reception: Friday, April 10, 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.

Another World Narrative: Fantasy Illustrations by Jordan Burby
April 9–12
Opening reception: Friday, April 10, 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.

Masked Facades: Poster Designs by Chris Lorek
April 16–20
Opening reception: Friday, April 17, 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.

Face to Face: Functional Pottery by Darcie Rosinski
April 23–25
Opening reception: Friday, April 24, 6:00 to 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.

Framing the Feminine: Portrait Illustrations by Juliana Conidi
April 23–26
Opening reception: Friday, April 24, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Glow Gallery, 224 Allen Street
Gallery hours: Thursday–Friday, 4:00–8:00 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 3:00–7:00 p.m.

Astrological Ink: Poster Designs by Limaris Feaster
April 23–28
Opening reception: Thursday, April 23, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
E. H. Butler Library, 1300 Elmwood Ave. Circulation Gallery (1st floor)
Gallery hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; Friday, 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.; Saturday, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.; Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.

Experiential Ecosystems: Video Projections by Mary Beth Osborn
May 2–8
Opening reception: May 2, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Hi-Temp Fabrication, fifth floor, 79 Perry St.
Gallery hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Planetary Perspectives: Poster Designs by Eric Johnson
May 4–8
Opening reception: Friday, May 8, 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.

Traces of Land and Sea: Jewelry and Metalwork by Yasmin Medina
May 4–8
Opening reception: Monday, May 4, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Dr. Margaret Eschner Bacon Student Gallery, Upton Hall 234
Gallery hours: Tuesday and Thursday, noon–2:00 p.m.; Wednesday, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; and Friday, 10:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.

Kinesthetic Depth: Photo Manipulations by Amanda Kugler
May 7–10
Opening reception: May 8, 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.