This event marks a swan song for School of Art students, who are completing their Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees. UH is the only university in this region that offers this graduate program in art and also is one of the few institutions where students' works are shown in a professional gallery.
Among the artists whose works will be on view is photographer Chuy Benitez, whose series "Houston Cultura" documents local Mexican-American culture.
"I am happy to have an exhibition, where I can show these images of the community and let people know that they're being represented through my work," Benitez said.
Other artists who will show their works are performance artist Elia Arce, painter Jeanne Cassanova, designer David Damico, oil painter Jane Eifler, installation artist Woody Golden, graphic communications artist Luisa F. Hernandez, sculptor Iskra Ivanova, interior designer Sarah Hannah, painter Ann Marie Nafziger, interior designer Kadriye Ozpolat and multi-disciplinary artist Kelli Vance. To view samples of the works on display and learn more about the artists, visit www.class.uh.edu/blaffer/exhibit_2008_thesis.html.
"Student exhibitions are the most interesting and moving art events you can experience," said John Reed, director of the School of Art. "Whether it's because the work is more raw, less inhibited, more current, less tainted, more concentrated, less refined...whatever it is, it's there, both in the work as it stands by itself and the reflection of its maker." On April 11, the gallery will host an opening reception for the exhibition. Admission to the reception and to Blaffer Gallery are free to the public.
| WHAT: | 2008 School of Art Masters Thesis Exhibit |
| WHEN: | April 12 - April 26 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday Opening reception: 7 p.m., Friday, April 11 |
| WHERE: | University of Houston Blaffer Gallery - 120 Fine Arts Building Entrance 16 Houston, TX 77204-4018 |
| WHO: | The University of Houston's School of Art and Blaffer Gallery |