STUDENTS, FACULTY TO PRESENT WORK

"Balancanche" by Southeast professor Ron Clayton

Art students and their professors will exhibit their work practically side-by-side at the University Museum this month. It's an accident of scheduling that appeals to University Museum Director Jennifer Strayer.

Rather than the juxtaposition being intimidating for the students, Strayer says, "I think it would make them feel good about their work. Having one joint opening is a way of acknowledging that both the student and faculty work is important."

The "1997 Annual Student Juried Art Assessment Exhibition & Annual Art Faculty Exhibition" is a mouthful of a show that opens Sunday at the University Museum. A reception is scheduled for 3:30-5 p.m.

The faculty show normally is held in November, but was delayed this year because the museum was closed for installation of an elevator. It is an annual occasion for showing their newest work.

The faculty show will offer at least one work each by faculty members Sam Bishop, Louise Bodenheimer, Mark Burnett, Ron Clayton, Lane Fabrick, Grant Lund, Pat Reagan-Woodard, Sarah Riley, Edwin Smith and Kathy Smith.

The work will include photos, ceramics, acrylics, textiles, mixed media, illustrations, sculpture and, in the case of Kathy Smith, atypical artistic media. Her piece is made of Mylar, oil paint and straw.

Between 40 and 50 works by Southeast art students from all different classes also will be on display in the East Gallery. The students will be competing for awards.

Leon Hicks, an eminent printmaker at Webster University, has juried the student show.

The assessment part of the student show also provides the faculty with an evaluation of how well they are teaching. Areas that need attention are brought to light.

For both students and faculty, the reception is likely to be visited by butterflies. "They want to show their work but fear they won't go over well and won't make their point," says Strayer, whose husband is an artist.

"It's exciting and agonizing at the same time."