Camarillo, Calif., April 14, 2015—A knitted hamburger, Napoleon on horseback, a child reaching through a terrifying storm of headlines.
These are among the more than 500 works of art from more than 250 CSU Channel Islands (CI) Art students on display now through May 8 in the Napa Hall Art Gallery on campus at One University Drive in Camarillo.
The opening reception for “Dolphins in Space,” the 2015 Annual Student Art Show, will be Saturday, April 18 from 3 to 6 p.m. in the Napa Hall Gallery.
Students voted on the name “Dolphins in Space” for the art show, which also includes a grad wall exhibit done by CI graduate Devin Johnson, called “Let’s Take a Long Walk.” “The school mascot is a dolphin so for the last couple of years we’ve been using the word ‘dolphin’ in the exhibit,” explained CI Art lecturer, Christophe Bourély.
Twenty-five art instructors selected the pieces from their students, with the best of the upper division classes in the main gallery.
The media used by the artists include: sculpture, ceramic, drawing, painting, photography, graphic design, animation, film, web design, digital art, and art historical papers.
“This year we are striving more than ever to make sure every field within the Art program is represented,” Bourély said.
A panel of experts will act as jury for the show and awards will be given in categories ranging from “most esthetic” to “most humorous.”
Three awards will also be given to “the mostest of the most.”
“These are the pieces that stand out the most, art that is striking on many different levels, visually of course but also intellectually and emotionally; it is art that draws you in and stays with you thereafter.” Bourély said.
On the grad wall is a collection by 2014 graduate Devin Johnson called “Let’s Take a Long Walk.”
Johnson’s work is a dip into his experiences growing up in an African American family at the turn of the millennium by using his parents’ favorite music as his muse.
Johnson, 23, grew up in San Diego with frequent car trips into Los Angeles to see his aunt and grandmother. During those rides, his parents played music from rhythm and blues singer Jill Scott over and over. It drove Johnson crazy.
Now, Johnson finds himself playing the album “Who is Jill Scott” over and over himself, reflecting on those days and painting around Scott’s lyrics.
For more information on the opening, click on: https://art.csuci.edu/.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.