Six-artist virtual show spotlights seniors’ talents

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Logo design and photography, prints and collages, designs for posters and packaging – these are among the works created by six graduating seniors of the Art+Design Department who will display their talents in a final virtual exhibit at Brandstater Gallery.

<p> Aaron Partida, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design. </p>

Aaron Partida, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design.

<p> Katie Nichols, Bachelor of Arts, Art. </p>

Katie Nichols, Bachelor of Arts, Art.

<p> Serena Williams, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design. </p>

Serena Williams, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design.

<p> Timothy Creitz, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design. </p>

Timothy Creitz, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design.

<p> Veronica Ramirez, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design. </p>

Veronica Ramirez, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Design.

<p> Veronica Mwila, Bachelor of Arts, Art. </p>

Veronica Mwila, Bachelor of Arts, Art.

On Sunday, May 30 at 3 p.m. the gallery will host an online reception on Zoom video conferencing and a virtual ‘walk-through’ of the exhibit titled “Anima.” The show of more than 50 pieces will feature works by seniors Katie Nichols, Aaron Partida, Veronica Ramirez, Veronica Mwila, Timothy Creitz, and Serena Williams. Four students are completing Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees and two are earning Bachelor of Arts degrees in art.

Attendees of the online reception and exhibit will be escorted through a self-directed 360-degree virtual presentation of the physical installation at the Brandstater Gallery followed by individual slide presentations in which each artist describes their work. The event will conclude with an audience Q&A.

The exhibit will include 24 large hanging prints from Nichols’ Instagram blog platform where over the past year she has cultivated content around wellness including her own recipes and lifestyle cookbook with food styling photographs, exercise videos and healthful living insights toward building her own brand that merges interests in fitness and fashion. “It is so exciting and hopefully in the future as it progresses I can create a workout line of clothing that goes along with it,” she said.

Public health mandates due to the advancing Covid-19 pandemic closed the campus in March 2020 and over the past school year the majority of classes have been held online. A handful of science labs and studio classes are allowed under health protocol to meet in person. Students, particularly those in the arts faced obstacles, but also encountered new opportunities.

“My greatest challenge as an artist was the physical separation from the art and design community at La Sierra who feed my creative energy,” said Nichols. “Living at home, I was able to overcome this by connecting with people over social media and really establishing what motivated me to create on my own on a daily basis. Despite the challenges, I believe that I have grown so much over the past year and I’ve really understood more about myself through the process.” 

“The past year of online learning was not what any of these seniors expected while finishing their degree, but I am delighted with the exciting creative work they produced for this exhibition,” said gallery director and assistant art professor Tim Musso referencing the “Anima” exhibit as well as a two-person senior show titled “Warp” that was held May 16 - 21. “Both exhibitions represent the first time a physical installation of artwork in the Brandstater Gallery will be concurrently exhibited on the university's website as a virtual walk-through experience,” he said.

The seniors will head into new horizons following the university’s June 13 drive-through graduation as the state of California is slated for a significant re-opening on June 15 following a drop in Covid-19 cases and a broad Covid-19 vaccination rollout. 

“I am excited to have more time to expand my personal brand,” said Nichols. “This summer I will be getting my Pilates certification to add more depth and credibility to my platform.” She noted the wide range of Art+Design classes she has engaged in over the past years that have expanded her skill sets and finetuned her artistic interests. “Working and learning with other students and professors has built my respect and tolerance for other worldviews and creative insights. This is beneficial in all areas of life when working on a team,” she said.

Attendees may join the May 30 Zoom artist reception at bit.ly/3bmNEh3 and may also find the link in the gallery’s @brandstatergallery Instagram profile. The “Anima” exhibit will run through Monday, June 14 in the gallery and will be available for viewing in the 360-degree virtual platform at lasierra.edu/brandstater.

For further information contact the Art+Design department at tthomas@lasierra.edu or tmusso@lasierra.edu.  

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