Thesis exhibitions an exclamation point on successful 2020-21 year
The School of Art and Design successfully navigated the circumstances unique to the last year, mirroring as closely as possible our tradition of celebrating our students’ work through presentation of thesis exhibitions.
The School of Art and Design successfully navigated the circumstances unique to the last year, mirroring as closely as possible our tradition of celebrating our students’ work through presentation of thesis exhibitions.
Each year, candidates of the Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) and Master of Fine Art (MFA) degrees showcase their work in a series of culminating thesis exhibitions. Due to COVID restrictions, both the BFA exhibits and the MFA exhibits were held on campus with limited in-person viewing. Family and visitors from outside the School of Art and Design were able to view the exhibitions through a series of video tours and online catalogs.
Alfred University and the School of Art and Design extends a special thanks to all who collaborated to launch hybrid in-person/virtual exhibitions. Our success was truly a team effort.
- Students worked diligently throughout the year to Protect the Lux, using the hashtag #noshowstoppers, and displaying a profound degree of mutual respect by maintaining studios as clean, healthy and safe places.
- Custodial and maintenance staff kept studios open, and upheld their annual tradition of pulling off a small miracle in classroom spaces. This team quickly and efficiently transformed art-making spaces to gallery spaces.
- School of Art and Design faculty and staff worked together with staff from across campus—ITS, Marketing and Communication, Admissions, technicians, student workers, the bookstore, and many others—to launch both virtual and physical versions of these exhibitions.
- The School organized several events—a Snack Shack in the conference room for students, faculty and staff; a root beer float event at which senior portraits were installed at the Jet; and pizza for seniors the Thursday before their opening—which helped students in the weeks leading up to the exhibitions.
This collaborative effort shines a spotlight on what makes the Alfred University community so special. Thanks to all who helped our class of 2021 reach its goals.