Emphasis in printmaking, visual studies and ceramics will be presented by Grand Valley Students for the last time today in “Circles: BFA Exhibition”.

The gallery, located in Grand Valley State University’s Performing Arts Center, features work by Amanda Wieczorek, Jackie Jurgens and Becky Bloem. The gallery closes at 5 p.m. tonight followed by a closing reception hosted by the department of art and design from 5 to 7 p.m. The reception will be held at the Performing Arts Center in Room 1121.

“There is a great diversity of art work available for viewing so be sure to come to the closing reception at the art gallery,” said Cathy Marashi, project coordinator at the art gallery support center. “There is printmaking with incredible statements through writing, elegant porcelain and embroidered pottery and woodblock prints on handmade seeded paper that is biodegradable. Visitors are also able to take home the seeded paper to be planted.”

Jurgens is graduating after this semester with a bachelor of fine arts and an emphasis in visual studies.

“The BFA exhibits are a really great, relaxed social event where you can snack and look at what your peers have been working so hard on all semester,” Jergens said. “Every student pursuing a bachelor of fine arts has to create work for a final show, it is essentially their thesis project.”

Jurgens’ project is a series of woodblock prints on handmade paper with lettuce seeds sown inside. She has made multiples of each print as she intends you to take them and plant them. Each print she made bears a simple but assertive phrase.

“These phrases are assembled from text fragments of WWI and WWII propaganda and are reflective of human fragility,” Jurgens said.

Bloem is a senior seeking a BFA in ceramics.

“The pieces that I have featured in the gallery focus on space and the barriers and connections that separate interior and exterior,” Bloem said.

She said the gallery is great opportunity for her and the other students involved to get their names out there.

“As with many students here at Grand Valley, the three of us are part of the future of art making,” said Bloem. “It’s a start and the three of us are excited to be the featured artists in the Performing Art Center Gallery this week.”

Wieczorek is a senior studying art and design with an emphasis in printmaking and a minor in art history. Wieczorek will be displaying two 20-page books with text and prints as well as an installation piece with collaged prints and video.

“Students, faculty and staff should come see this show because I think it is important to see what students are doing creatively and how they represent this University,” she said.

For more information call the Art Gallery at 616-331-2563.

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