FGCU welcomes back alumni of the Art Program for an annual reunion to catch up, reminisce and show students what they have created since graduation.
The Reunion: Courtright, Davis & Wood exhibit gives students a chance to connect with alumni who display their continuous passion for art with their range of artwork. The exhibition is open to the public through Nov. 5.
The ArtLab was chosen to house the exhibit because it is a more intimate space compared to the spacious Main Gallery. The exhibit showcases artwork of former FGCU art students.
Anica Sturdivant, gallery coordinator for the exhibit, has been working for the Art Program and Art Galleries since 2002.
“The Reunion series is dedicated to create exhibitions showcasing their talent and the positive impact the Art Program at FGCU is having on the region,” Sturdivant said. “We have many, many art alums living and working in Lee and Collier counties who are having an impact on the cultural horizons of our area. The series is a way to touch base with artists and get their work back on campus.”
The ArtLab is located on the west end of the FGCU library, near the newly opened entrance.
“The ArtLab is the original gallery at FGCU and was the only gallery on campus until the opening of the Arts Complex in 2002,” Sturdivant said. “Today, FGCU’s campus is home to two contemporary art galleries: the Main Gallery in the Arts Complex and the ArtLab Gallery.”
The exhibit includes diverse selections of mixed mediums such as prints, sculpture and photography from artists Carrell Courtright, Megan Davis and Tarra Wood.
“It is important for an art program to follow the accomplishments of our graduates in the arts,” Sturdivant said. “We care about our students and are interested in seeing how they have continued their passions. We also want to hold them up as examples to our current students for inspiration. Our alumni have much to share with current students. In fact, each reunion group is asked to meet with our current senior project students to share their experiences and provide some support and insight into the current students’ preparations for their culminating class in art.”
The selection process begins with an overview of the Art Program’s library of senior project binders, which serves as historical reference. From there, a determination is made as to which of the alumni are still in the area and have continued their work in the arts, as the program doesn’t have the budget to ship work for an exhibition of this nature. Further, suggestions from art and art history faculty help determine the selection. Also, there is a consideration of which work will fit together conceptually or stylistically in the ArtLab. The theme each year changes depending upon the invited artists. The one thing that will not change is that the artists are all Art Program alumnus. A bigger alumni exhibition for the university’s 20th anniversary is being considered.
Don’t miss out on the reunion exhibit, which strives to offer diverse selections from FGCU alumni. The art department endeavors to express students’ artwork while collaborating with other departments on campus to magnify the scope of the visual arts.
“My favorite part of the reunion series is catching up with alumni artists — both in the exhibition and the alumni who attend the opening,” Sturdivant said. “We hear about everyone’s careers, their continued education, their moves, meet new family members, share opportunities and reminisce. In every way, the exhibition serves as a reunion.”