The exhibition is billed by First Street Gallery as a demonstration of the career preparation that Humboldt State University offers its Art Majors.
The curators for this exhibition are HSU alumnae Heather Cruce and Malia Penhall, who in planning this exhibition, write that:
“In the spirit of the Chinese zodiac symbol of the dragon, HSU First Street Gallery exhibits HSU’s emerging visual artists. The dragon is a symbol of good fortune and a sign of intense power, fueled by a creative spark that is ready to flame into life. These Humboldt State artists exemplify the qualities of the dragon. They are confident and fearless in the face of challenges, which will lead them inevitably to success. Their enterprise is one of high risk and equally high returns. It is the common, shared trait of these artists in that they dedicate their entire being to be free and unencumbered in order to seek the fruits of the creative mind and the poetic spirit. A dragon summer 2012 is just the beginning for these adventurous artists.”
Art is one of the highest enrolled majors at the HSU campus. The university’s Art Department offers classes with 24 full and part-time instructors, multiple, well equipped studio facilities and several campus showcases that enable undergraduates to enjoy an early experience of presenting their works to the public. Additionally, students enrolled in the Art Department’s Museum and Gallery Practices Program gain practical, hands-on experience as they design, coordinate and curate exhibits at HSU First Street Gallery.
“The alumni participating in this show have all developed to a point where they are working at a professional level as artists,” states First Street Gallery Director Jack Bentley. “All 28 participants demonstrate real evidence of artistic success. Crucial to their success, however, are the less tangible qualities they all share—a dedication and commitment to making art as a way of life and a deep engagement with their work on poetic and intellectual levels.”
Participating artists are: Alex Anderson—jewelry and small metals, Brittany Britton—ceramic sculpture and prints, Heather Cruce—performance, Dorian Daneau—bronze sculpture, Danielle DeMartini—digital illustration and graphic design, Hollie Dilley—mixed media sculpture, Chris Fortin—ceramic sculpture, Rhianna Gallagher—photography, Lily Haas—graphic design, Brenton Henriques—sculpture, Sylvie Dakota Huhn—painting, Kasey Jorgensen—jewelry, Karen L. Kintz—mixed media drawing/painting, Greg Lysander—ceramic sculpture, Malia Penhall–fiber collage/drawing, Janarie Ricchio—painting, Anna Schneider—photography, Maccabee Shelley—ceramic sculpture, Justin Skillstad—bronze and metal sculpture, Ryan Spaulding—paintings and prints, Elysse Valdez—paintings, Stephanie Vonderahe—prints, Kyra Weber—jewelry, ceramics and metalsmithing.
A reception for the Dragon Summer artists will be held Saturday July 7th, 2012 during Eureka’s monthly Arts Alive event. An open house will follow during the August 4th Arts Alive event. Celebrating its fourteenth year of service to HSU students and to the North Coast community, the gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m., located at 422 First Street Eureka, California. Admission is free. Those planning group tours are encouraged to call ahead. For more information call 707-443-6363 or visit the gallery’s website at http://www.humboldt.edu/first.