Sinclair Community College is not only known for it’s wide variety of students and education. For years, the campus has housed four art galleries in Building 13 that is not only for show to the public but a way to inspire students.
“The galleries are for art majors to aspire to as most of the art displayed are from all over the country,” said C. Pat McClelland, the coordinator and collections curator for the art galleries. “It speaks to the depths of the campuses cultural interest.”
McClelland described the process of the art department selecting which art and artist will have their work displayed. “A call for artists is put out each year. Our department receives about 100 recipients a year and the Exhibition Selection Committee, composed of the Sinclair Fine Art Faculty, meet in the beginning of the year to review all the submitted proposals. I review the committee suggestions and try to select artists that will provide works that demonstrate diverse themes, concepts and media. Those artist are awarded the opportunity to exhibit their work in the Sinclair Galleries.”
McClelland said there are two shows that feature students work.
“ One of the shows is a display that is judged by a professional jury from off campus. The second show is an end of the year exhibition showcasing the art of graduating art majors. The jurors for the shows rotate each year, consists of art professionals, usually museum curators, gallery directors and or professors of art from other institutes,” McClelland said.
Currently, there are four art galleries that reside at Sinclair Community College, all in Building 13. There is Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery, which is on the fourth floor and is the largest, most versatile of the galleries. This gallery presents exhibits of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography, video and installation. At the moment, this gallery is featuring the work of Sinclair faculty member Richard Jurus until September 23. There is the Student gallery department on the third floor. On the fourth floor is the Works On Paper gallery, which displays 2D works that will fit into small spaces. On the third floor is the Hypotenuse Art Gallery, which exhibits student works in sculpture and ceramics and The Student Galleries that commonly show paintings, drawings or prints by Sinclair Fine Arts Students. Arts students also have their works displayed in the walkway space between Buildings two and ten.
McClelland said it’s important to study art and visit galleries.
“Art tends to be a reflection of our culture. Art in an academic surrounding can make people think and present more than just what could be described as “pretty pictures”. Art is various emotions put on display to express to anyone willing to look and listen,” McClelland said.
Upcoming faculty shows: In the Burnell R. Roberts Triangle Gallery; “and the child draws another inscrutable house,” mixed media paintings by Danielle Muzina. In the Work on Paper Gallery: “Disclosure,” photography by Emily Franklin.
Jimaur Calhoun
Arts & Entertainment Editor