Each spring the Cress Gallery hosts the Bachelor of Fine Arts Senior Thesis Exhibitions, the capstone event of the final year of creative research by students enrolled in the professional curriculum of the Department of Art at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. This exhibition features students matriculating from the Department’s curricular concentration areas of graphic design, painting and drawing, photography and media arts, and sculpture.
"Advancing a position or proposition through months of research into a final expression in visual form, these student artists respond to the contexts, issues, and challenges of our contemporary world in conceptually thought provoking and timely ways.
Visitors should expect a broad range of materials from the traditional to the unconventional handled in both innovative and practiced approaches," officials said.
Student Artists in “Show One” are Lawrence Chien, Anne Daniels, Amy Devan, Sarah Dolmovich, Chloe George, Emaleigh Grantz, Madeline Hankins, Alesha Lee, Kirby Miles, Nicole Reynolds, Caroline Romersa, Athene Ruiz, Kaylee Sheldon, and Jenna Tomaszewski.
“Show Two” features Chris Anderson, Erika Brooks, Bonnie Buffington, Devin Caldwell, Ian Lawrence, John Le, Stephanie Loggans, Dana Ortega, Dylan Pew, Chris Pickering, Selena Sanchez, Buddy Simpson, Liberty Smith, Taylor Thompson, Hayden Todd, and Rhiana Von Fosson.
"These students have each studied a minimum of four years. Their first two years provided grounding in skills and experience with materials, tools, and processes. The final two follow a mentored student-driven path. Art history and formal and critical theory are emphasized throughout. Students are also exposed to contemporary professional practices in the visual arts through the UTC Diane Marek Visiting Artist Series, extra-curricular opportunities provided by the UTC Department of Art and its student managed gallery Apothecary, study abroad and a biennial trip to New York City, and the many visual arts and design events throughout the City of Chattanooga and the Region.
"So please mark your calendars, don’t miss this exciting and meaningful event, and see you at the Cadek Hall for oral media presentations and at the Cress for the 2017 UTC Senior Thesis Exhibitions." officials said.
“Show One” opens Tuesday April 4. Artists’ talks begin at 5 p.m. in the Auditorium of Cadek Hall, 725 Oak St. A public reception follows from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center lobby, 725 Vine St. Exhibition dates are April 4-13.
“Show Two” opens Tuesday April 18. Artists’ talks begin at 5 p.m. in the Auditorium of Cadek Hall, 725 Oak St. A public reception follows from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center lobby, 752 Vine St. Exhibition dates are April 18-28.
Regular gallery hours are 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday – Friday; 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Cress will be closed during the exhibition transition April 14-17.
Admission to the Cress, its events, and programs, are open to all and free.
Parking for the opening night presentation and reception for each show:
Visitors arriving after 4 p.m. may park in UTC Lot #10 (accessible via Vine, 5th, and Palmetto St.), #12 (Lupton Bldg. accessible via Vine St.), and #18 (accessible via Palmetto St.) View a map here.
The Cress Gallery is located in the lobby of the UTC Fine Arts Center, 752 Vine St., located just a short walk away from Cadek Hall Auditorium, and the Opening Night Artists’ Presentations at 725 Oak St.
During the run of the exhibitions, visitors after 5 p.m. weekdays and on weekends may park in any UTC lot not marked “24 hour reserved”; before 5 p.m. visitors may find street or metered parking (note the Historic Fortwood District requires a parking permit), or park in the 5th Street parking garage and stroll to the Fine Arts Center.
For more information, contact the director/curator at ruth-grover@utc.edu, or voice and text at 423-304-9789.