ANDREA MCMILLIAN
The Corsair
On the night of Nov. 5, the usually quiet Visual Arts Gallery was packed full of life. Faculty, students, and visitors were scattered about, chatting about various art works and enjoying refreshments.
The reason for the occasion was the PJC Faculty Art Show.
The Faculty Art Show, which opened on Nov 2., will run until Dec. 11. It is located in the Anna Lamar Switzer Center for the Visual Arts, in building 15.
The exhibit features various types of art work. Sculpture, ceramics, photography, painting, drawings and even jewelry can be found pieced around the building.
“This is one of my favorite shows of the year, because you actually get to see the talent of our own instructors. It’s cool to be able to see something that your art instructor made, it makes it that much more interesting,” PJC student Mariam Martinez said.
During the art exhibit, students talked about which instructors interested them and why.
“I’m really interested in Mark Francis’s work, I think it’s really cool how he took two pictures and kind of juxtaposed them together to bring out a whole scene, but in sections,” PJC student Sara Kucharnik said.
A student favorite, Spiros Zachos, took the time to explain some of the inspiration behind his collection.
“The thesis behind it (the artwork) is obviously figurative, but one of my intentions is to break down the pornographic pre-occupation about figures, but yet show the truth. The other thesis is how figures integrate with texture,” Zachos said.
“It’s really good, it’s just striking. You look at it and you kind of just want to step back and check it all out,” PJC student Brian Aldridge said, on Zacho’s art.
Other instructors shared their advice and techniques with viewers.
“Always enjoy what you’re doing…Just do what you want to do and make yourself happy but also try to create quality work,” photography instructor Kristen Regan said.
“I feel a little more knowledgeable as far as the art in here is concerned. I know more of the history behind it and now I know about the physical process of making some of it,” Michael Long said.
Long is an art student at UWF and enjoys photography. He was joined by his uncle who is a PJC student.
“I would definitely recommend this exhibit to my friends that go to PJC. I think that it’s a good idea to swing by here and take a look at what’s going on in your own school. A lot of your art instructors are very talented,” Long said.