February 7, 2013 (Jackson) - The Student Invitational Art Exhibition is the centerpiece of the year for the Visual Art Department and will showcase a variety of artwork from Belhaven freshmen to seniors. Students are working hard to have their work picked to be on display for the art premiere.
This annual exhibition will run from February 9 to March 9 and will highlight a wide range of styles and media including drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and mixed media. Admission is free to the art exhibition.
Bob Pennebaker, Associate Professor and Chair of the Art Department, said, “We are winding up our annual practicum experience, which involves a three month period of all-out-art making with no assignments involved. Students work on what ever they want to work on. The faculty spends the practicum period roaming through the entire department working with individuals and groups while giving feedback and critiquing.”
The practicum period is a part of the year when visual arts majors engage in concentrated, individualized pursuit of the art-making process. The goal of practicum is to help each student focus on and identify their own unique artistic abilities and work toward a career in the arts.
The opening reception for the art exhibit will be at the Gallery in Bitsy Irby Visual Arts and Dance Center on Saturday, February 9 from 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Dr. Melissa Hause, Associate Professor of Art History and Dean of the Honors College, said, “The Belhaven faculty are thrilled to observe the students’ growth and artistic maturity in the works submitted forexhibition in this annual student show.”
###Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts – music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.