The Excellence of Art at ESU

The East Stroudsburg University of PA (ESU) Art Association held an Artists’ Reception on Wednesday April 3rd for their Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition in the Madelon Powers Gallery which is located within the campus’ Fine and Performing Arts Building. Participation in the exhibit was open to students of all majors attending East Stroudsburg University. Toby Solstice and Shane Izykowski of The Living Room located in Stroudsburg, PA served as Jurors for the exhibition.

The Reception was very well attended as family, friends, and art lovers filled the space to capacity in order to explore the exhibit’s offerings. The quality of the work displayed was quite impressive and enhanced the joy of attending the exhibit. Many pieces intrigued the mind with their subtle subversive commentaries upon the paradigms of society and culture while others simply brought a smile to the faces of those who partook of their delights. In either case, the experience of exploring the work proved to be as enjoyable as an enriching one to all who attended the reception.

Although the entirety of the work presented in the exhibition proved to be of high quality, there were a number of artists who were recognized for their proficient skills as demonstrated in the piece they presented. As a juror who selected word to be awarded last year, I can attest choosing the best of the best is no easy task. This sentiment was echoed by one of this year’s jurors, Shane Izykowski, who made note that the faculty members who teach art has taught the artist well.

Those who received Honorable Mentioned included Alma Barrantes for her work titled, “My Thoughts,” Amber T. Soto for her work titled, “Beastly,” Aisha George for her work titled, “Life Transformed,” Kelly Andangana for her work titled, “The Dots of Lizards Life,” and Jeremy Soto for his work titled, “The Lady.” Abigail Braman received the Third Place Award for her work titled, “Truck,” Alma Barrantes received the Second Place Award for her work titled, “Stacie Jaxx,” and Lauriel Gingrich received the First Place Award for her work titled, “Lighted Chair.” The award given to the best piece presented in Three Dimensions was given to Melody Rivera for her work titled, “Quinton.” The majority of the awards included a scholarship presented to the recipients in order to facilitate their ability to further their education.

In addiction to providing special recognition to the students who shared their talents in the exhibition, the reception provided the University with an opportunity to present its “Excellence in the Arts” awards to students who demonstrated a more profound proficiency in the arts not only in the visual disciplines but in other areas as well. The students who received the Excellence in the Arts Awards were Alma Barrantes for her achievements in the visual arts, Michelle Jones for her achievements in the theatrical arts, Nikolette Volpe for her achievements in the art of Dance, and Victoria Oberdick for her achievements in the art of Music. A special Cecilia S. Cohen Award was presented to Gina Rodriguez for her achievements in the area of Art History.

As mentioned earlier, the entirety of the work presented in this exhibition proved to be of a quality that delights and enhances those who are fortunate enough to experience it. The youthful energies found among the artists were as inspiring as they were contagious. It reminded many who have become jaded by the mundaneness of life that the hopes and dreams of the past need not be forsaken. They can be renewed as we transcend beyond what our disappointments have taught us to a higher education. All we need to to is remember. You’ll find more photographs taken during the reception in The ESU 2013 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151583225905421.1073741826.636000420&type=3.

The ESU Art Association is collegiate club designed to create an opportunity for students to explore the myriad aspects of the visual arts with their peers. As with all such clubs, this is sometimes done with great degree of diligence while other times the approach contains the appropriate amount of silliness found when friends get together. In either case, the ESU Art Association provides students with a love for the arts to share the heart of one another. Its president is Matthew Copeland, its Vice President is Celeste Hylton-James, its Secretary is Lindsay Godin, and it’s Treasurer is Shanna Bridglal. Prof. David Mazure serves as their faculty advisor. You can learn more about the ESU Art Association from their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/groups/2208607072/?ref=ts&fref=ts.

The ESU Art Association Student Juried Art Exhibit continues at Madelon Powers Gallery which is located in The Fine and Performing Arts Building on the ESU Campus until April 19th. Funding for the exhibit was provided in part by The Pocono Chapter of the Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen and Music on the Mountain. The final exhibition presented during the Spring Semester by The East Stroudsburg University of PA Art Department will be their Senior Seminar and Portfolio in Art Student Exhibition which will run from April 29th until May 13th with an Artists’ Reception scheduled for Wednesday May 8th beginning at 4pm. Please contact The East Stroudsburg University Art Department at Esuarts@esu.edu for more information.