Art show a
rite of passage

Display of works by BFA grads marks the beginning
of their careers as professional artists

By Satoko Onoda

For the last 25 years, it’s been a right of passage as students in their final year of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree showcase their work at The Nickle Arts Museum. The Graduating Art Exhibition is often their first showing at an art gallery and marks the transition from student to professional.

“ I am excited to have this opportunity to showcase my works in a space that is dedicated to showing visual arts,” says fourth-year student Jill Ho-You.

“ I hope many people will come and see how the art scene in Calgary is getting developed at the BFA level. Our works are the reflection of the quality of education we receive from our professors.”
Ho-You, who studies printmaking and etching, is one of 23 students who will be in the exhibition this year. She is presenting three large drawings and 13 prints.
She and her fellow students prepare all year for this exhibiti

n and the result is an amazing variety of work, from painting and sculpture to printmaking and photography, as well as works produced in less traditional media. Each student takes responsibility for organizing the exhibition, from fundraising to physically setting up the displays.

The opening reception to celebrate this year’s exhibition, which is called Convergence, takes place on Friday, April 21 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Nickle Arts Museum. It is free and open to the public.

The exhibition itself runs until June 10 (excluding Sundays and holidays) at museum. Admission is $5 (adults), $2 (seniors) and is free for post-secondary students, U of C staff and faculty, and children under 17. Admission on Tuesday and Thursday evenings is free. For more information, call 220-7234 or visit www.ucalgary.ca/~nickle/