OXFORD, Miss. — Despite studio classes and midterm exams,
six University of Mississippi senior art majors have
completed time-consuming artwork and scheduled Bachelor of
Fine Arts thesis exhibitions this fall in Meek Hall Gallery
130.
Earl Dismuke of Winona, Sarah Haas of Mobile and Erin
Raspberry of Laurel are displaying their work through Nov.
23, with a gallery reception set for 4-6 p.m. Thursday
(Nov. 15).
From Nov. 28 through Dec. 6, Scott Dutt of Belden, Sophie
Gasquet of Natchez and Chris Sneed of New Albany will
present their thesis exhibitions, including a 4-6 p.m.
reception Nov. 29.
The exhibits and receptions are free and open to the
public.
Haas, who is showing 30 pieces of her work, admits that her
schedule leading up to the show was somewhat hectic.
Only days before her exhibit was due, Hass said, “I just
try to keep going and paint and paint and never really
stop. Really I have enough to put up for a show right now,
but I’m not ready to. I’m just going to keep working until
the very last night probably.”
Rasberry is showing 15 of her graphic design advertising
pieces, and Dismuke’s display features eight sculptures
made of paper pulp.
Thesis shows help prepare students for life as working
artists and provide feedback from faculty members, said
Philip Jackson, assistant professor.
Although the students said they are excited about showing
their work, they agree the pace is demanding. Dismuke, who
usually works with cast iron, chose to sculpt with a new,
unfamiliar medium, which he said called for putting about
eight hours a day into the project for a while.
Raspberry’s exhibit preparation included balancing his
schedule with his obligations as the art director of a
marketing agency in Laurel.
The shows allow students an opportunity to curate and
develop a concept to represent visually, as well as hang
their pieces and design the presentation, “so the space
works as well with the work as the work itself,” Jackson
said. They also must successfully defend their thesis
collections as required for the BFA degree.
Being able to balance work with other aspects of life is a
learning experience and part of a professional artist’s
life, Jackson said.
“The reality of it is that when they leave here and have a
real life, they’re faced with the real issues,” he said.
Haas, who has rented studio space in Mobile with plans to
become a working artist after graduating in December, began
developing the concept for her thesis collection during
spring semester and actually started putting it down on
paper over the summer. She said her greatest challenge for
the exhibit was consistency.
“I really enjoy a wide spectrum of media, and it was just
hard for me to write down and stick to a concept and my
proposal, something that I was going to finish out and not
stray from,” Haas said.
For more information about the art department, visit
http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/art.
For assistance related to a disability, call 662-915-7193.