By The Keystone Newspaper Multiple presentations held in film, fine arts and the sciences
By Astra Zerbe and John Mahoney
In celebration of the recent KU presidential inauguration, a cross-campus student showcase was held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9. Students from majors in cinema, television and media (CTM), fine arts, creative writing, physical sciences and more had the opportunity to highlight their recent works.
Attending the various presentations were staff, faculty, alumni and students with their friends and family.
Photo Credit: Astra Zerbe
The MSU hosted a wide variety of the day’s events. In the multipurpose room, a stream of performances took place throughout the showcase. Acts included a student catwalk hosted by the Catwalk Modeling Troupe, dance numbers from the KU Gold Dance Team and the Black Flame Dance Team, as well as a Pen to Paper event and a multicultural Greek life discussion.
The MPR lobby and side rooms also showcased student accomplishments, with research projects from the College of Business, College of Education and communication studies majors on display. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics also hosted a table featuring educational board games curated by the club.
Photos from College of Education and College of Business poster presentations.
Photo Credit: Astra Zerbe
Senior Director of McFarland Student Union and Student Involvement Leah Cassellia said the showcase was “a great opportunity for students to showcase projects they have worked so diligently on.”
Also featured was a range of student works hosted by the cinema, television and media (CTM) department in Alumni Auditorium, including short films, documentaries and music videos.
“I loved seeing everyone’s creativity,” CTM senior Odie Rabayda said. “It’s easy to forget people are here because of the drive to create, so this opportunity to bring everyone together was great.”
At the Brass Rail, the Women’s Center displayed its version of the Clothesline Project, an art installation aimed at raising awareness of rape and sexual violence. Now a nationwide movement, the project was first unveiled in the 1990s in Hyannis, Massachusetts, as part of an annual Take Back the Night march and rally.
The Clothesline Project
Photo Credit: Astra Zerbe
In the Sharadin Arts Building, students milled about, viewing a variety of works. In the New Media Gallery, visitors joined discussions for a juried group photo exhibition. Nearby, in the Miller Gallery, an exhibition for seniors in animated arts celebrated the work of soon-to-be KU graduates.
Some highlights from the juried photo exhibition
Photo Credit: John Mahoney
The animated arts exhibition was filled with pieces reflecting fantasy landscapes, designs intended for eventual graphic novels and video games. Some students even made stickers and cards for gallery-goers to take.
A series of works collected in the senior animated arts exhibit
Photo Credit: John Mahoney
In the Ramp Gallery, a solo exhibition by senior honors student Nona Holland featured a variety of print media as part of a capstone project. Meanwhile, in the Atrium Gallery, works by student Devon Koch were on display.
Nona Holland’s honors capstone project, “Letting it Linger.”
Photo Credit: John Mahoney
The Boulevard Gallery hosted a variety of ceramics, both small and large. Two of the larger, more complex pieces at the front of the exhibit were created by artist Lily Punzo.
“It was such a great opportunity to show off my work at such an important event,” Punzo said. “I even got to speak about my work with President Cavalier.”
Lily Punzos works at the Boulevard gallery
Photo Credit: John Mahoney
Another artist featured in the Boulevard Gallery exhibition, Melanie Ortega Cluff, was also featured at the inaugural brunch. Ortega credited the showcase as an opportunity to grow as an artist and make connections within her major.
“Being part of the student showcase gave me the opportunity to connect with people whose work I admire,” Ortega said. “Every department got the chance to show what they’re really about. I found it to be quite special.”
Pieces from the juried ceramic exhibition
Photo Credit: John Mahoney
In the Grimm Science Building, visitors were welcome to tour the observatory and see a demonstration of the building’s telescope. Also in Grimm was a collection of student astronomy research. Some students, like Fallon Smith, a senior on the physics-astronomy track, were excited to share their research.
“My research focuses primarily on photometric analysis of exoplanets transiting their host star,” Smith said. “I’m using the showcase as a means to prepare myself for conveying my research to a broader audience in a way that’s digestible and interesting.”
Presentations from students in the sciences
Photo Credit: Astra Zerbe
Boehm Science Center also hosted a variety of events, ranging from student research displays, creative writing readings, liquid nitrogen ice cream making and computer science project demonstrations.
In the Wells-Rapp Center, visitors were able to enjoy both solo and chamber musical performances from students in the commercial music and music performance programs. University College poster presentations were also on display.
The showcase was a great opportunity for Golden Bears to celebrate their accomplishments, as well as display them for a welcoming audience.