Graduate art students swap artwork in international exchange
In an effort to encourage dialogue among emerging artists from Georgia Southern University and Aalto University in Helsinki, Finland, graduate students from both universities are participating in an art swap this year.
The “Dialogic” exhibition–on view at the Center for Art & Theatre’s University Gallery from Jan. 9 to Feb. 1–is one half of the art swap experiment in which graduate students from Georgia Southern’s Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art (BFSDoArt) exhibit their work at Aalto University, and Aalto University students exhibit at Georgia Southern.
The BFSDoArt will welcome the Aalto University graduate students with an opening reception on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at 5 p.m. in the Center for Art & Theatre. The event is free and open to the public.
“As the art world becomes increasingly global and networked, it is crucial that emerging artists establish relationships with their aesthetic peers far and wide,” says BFSDoArt Gallery Director Jason Hoelscher. “A key part of an exhibition like this, besides the intrinsic excitement of seeing and discovering new art, is to create a dialogue between the emerging artists studying here at Georgia Southern, and their peers across the pond in Europe. New things tend to arise from novel combinations of things already present, so I look forward to seeing how the results of this international artistic dialogue unfold–not only through this particular exhibition, but also in the future as these artists go out into the world.”
The idea for the art exchange came about from Associate Professor Derek Larson’s experiences as an artist-in-residence in Finland in years past. Georgia Southern students will curate and ship the artwork to Aalto, an experience Larson says is a great professional opportunity.
“I’m looking forward to the show,” said Larson. “The Finnish art scene is vibrant, and hosting artwork from Helsinki will provide great exposure to our BFA and MFA students.”
Georgia Southern students planning to exhibit work at Aalto University are Nicole Bovasso, Meredith Conger, Cyndy Epps, Kyle Hooten, Nikolaus James, Jessamy McManus, Usman Oladeinde, Courtney Ryan and Makaili Taylor. Their exhibition is slated for Spring 2018 at Aalto University.
About the Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art
The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art (BFSDoArt) is committed to offering quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs that prepare students to become professional artists, designers, art historians and industry leaders. The BFSDoArt is recognized as an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). For more information, visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/art.
About the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) is the largest of the eight colleges that make up Georgia Southern University, and it plays a central role in every student’s core of knowledge. CLASS, also described as the University’s College of the Creative Mind, prepares students to achieve academic excellence, develop their analytical skills, enhance their creativity and embrace their responsibilities as citizens of their communities, their nations and the world. CLASS offers more than 20 undergraduate degrees and several interdisciplinary minors from its 11 departments and five academic centers. CLASS offers eight master’s degrees, two graduate certificates and one doctoral degree. For more information, visit class.georgiasouthern.edu.
About Georgia Southern
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 118 degree programs serving 20,418 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
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