Chocolate Chow Down and Gallery Exhibit

PVCC student artists unveiled their work at the opening of the Annual Student Exhibition on April 24. The event coincided with PVCC’s Seventh Annual Chocolate Chow Down, preparations for which had Professor Beryl Solla in Dickinson’s small catering kitchen as early as nine a.m.

The exhibit features the work of many PVCC students, and the body of the collection includes paintings, prints, sculpture, and ceramics. As beautiful as the works are, some of the artists found their creations difficult to achieve.

“I had never used water-based ink before,” said artist Erin Concepcion, “and the indirect form of printing was frustrating.”

Concepcion was unaccustomed to printing, which is an indirect art form, meaning that there is another medium – in this case a plate – between the artist and her canvas. In direct forms of art, such as painting, drawing, or sculpture, the artist has complete control over the piece.

Exhibiting her work is a first for Concepcion, who originally intended to study nursing before taking an art class with Professor Fenella Belle in order to fulfill her humanities elective. The foray into art led her to switch her major to liberal arts.

Concepcion was not the only artist who experienced a first that evening. Art and Education double major Ashley Bell also had work featured in the exhibit. While not her first show, this year’s exhibition marked the first time Bell has sold a piece of her artwork.

However, the selling of student’s work was not the primary goal of the event.

According to Erin Concepcion, exhibiting students’ work “gives them a chance to be featured and not just graded. Seeing other people appreciate your effort is important.”

The exhibition of student artwork will be open until early September 2015 during Dickinson’s usual hours.