Opportunities abound for spring student art exhibits

As the spring blossoms bloom, so will the art exhibits around the University of Wisconsin-Platteville campus and surrounding region. Eight student art exhibits will showcase the efforts of the graduating visual arts students from the UW-Platteville art program. Exhibits are set to begin at the Nohr Gallery with a reception for the Senior Show and BFA Group Exhibition on April 16 from 3-4:30 p.m. Seven additional solo shows hosted by each of the Bachelor of Fine Arts students will follow, with opening receptions beginning on April 25 and continuing into May.

"Students need to display their work to gain presentation experience and learn how to display their artwork professionally outside of social media and online images," said Jacob Bautista, a Visual Arts lecturer with the art program in the Department of Performing and Visual Arts. "Our program is unique in that our students must find venues and work with others outside of the art faculty to display their work. This is a great learning opportunity for them to see how these venues operate and develop soft skills."

The Senior Show at Nohr Gallery will include artwork by Ayden Miller, a prospective Bachelor of Arts candidate. His solo show will feature artwork in various media, including graphic design, graphic illustration, painting and ceramics. Overall, his body of work reflects his interests from both the mysterious and wacky aspects of everyday life, while also demonstrating his growth as a student with the addition of several of his favorite projects completed throughout his time in the art program.

"I feel like I have changed how I view my art fundamentally," said Miller, reflecting on his journey as an art student at UW-Platteville. "I now view art with consideration of the elements of design. As I look over my past projects, I consider my use of line, shape, form, space, texture, tone and color. This can be seen in my usage of line shape and color throughout my pieces. As I graduate, I hope to continue to use the elements of design for my future work."

The BFA Group Exhibition, also in Nohr Gallery, will showcase artworks by each of the graduating Bachelor of Fine Arts students, including Will Hare, Will Houlihan, Alexandra Lind, Clint Schielein, Konner Schroeder, Aaron Smith and Becca Statz. This exhibit requires each of the seven Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates to show at least one artwork from any point within their collegiate art career. Taken together, this exhibit offers a sort of teaser exhibit for these students as each of them will also host a curated solo show within the Platteville or regional community.

Clint Schielein, a Bachelor of Fine Arts student studying Graphic Design, looks forward to sharing his growth as an emerging artist with the community both in Nohr Gallery and in his solo exhibit at the Platteville Public Library. He discovered that his time at UW-Platteville has not only allowed him to refine his skills as an artist, but also finds more enjoyment in experimentation, trying new media, and seeing his work as something that leaves an impact on his viewers rather than "an incredibly arduous process."

"Art can come in any form, as long as it leaves a lasting, substantial impact on its viewers," said Schielein. "Between the group show and later solo showings of my work, my viewers can see my change in perspective from the use of mediums I have achieved. Where I used to work in a fully illustrative manner in my works, I can now not only delve into other mediums but combine them with my illustrative background to make a much more foundational base in interest and detail."

The Senior Show and BFA Group Exhibition in Nohr Gallery will be open for public viewing most weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 14 through May 16. The opening receptions and public viewing dates for the Bachelor of Fine Arts solo exhibitions are as follows:

• Aaron Smith: April 25, 4-7 p.m., Center for the Arts, UW-Platteville, Platteville, WI. Exhibit open April 25-May 2
• Alexandra Lind: April 25, 4-7 p.m., First floor, Rountree Gallery, Platteville, WI. Exhibit open April 24-May 3
• Konner Schroeder: April 25, 4-7 p.m., First floor, Rountree Gallery, Platteville, WI. Exhibit open April 24-May 3
• Becca Statz: April 25, 4-7 p.m., Second floor, Rountree Gallery, Platteville, WI. Exhibit open April 24-May 3
• Will Houlihan: April 25, 4-7 p.m., Second floor, Driftless Market, Platteville, WI. Exhibit open April 24-May 2
• Clint Schielein: May 5, 4-6 p.m., Upstairs lobby, Platteville Public Library, Platteville, WI. Exhibit open May 5-12
• Will Hare: May 16, 4-7 p.m., Burnt Sienna Gallery and Pottery Studio, Galena IL. Exhibit open May 16-July 7