Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition @ WSU (Ogden: Jan 25 - Feb 23)

WRITER: Katie Lee, Gallery Director, Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery
801-626-6420 • katherinelee@weber.edu


January 3, 2013

Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition at WSU brings
outside Juror Whitney Tassie

Ogden, UT – The Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery will host its Annual Student Juried Art Exhibition Jan. 25 – Feb. 23.  This year’s exhibit will be slightly different than previous years because the Shaw Gallery has invited Whitney Tassie, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Utah Museum of Fine Art, to jury the exhibition.  What this means for current students who submit their work for jurying is that Tassie will determine which works make it into the exhibit.  Additionally, she will be responsible for giving awards on the opening night.

For student artists who submit their work for consideration, this will likely be the first time they have their artwork juried by an outside juror, which is an important experience for any artist.
On Friday, January 25th at 6p.m. juror Whitney Tassie will give a public lecture at 6 p.m. titled, “Being an Artist Today”, where she will discuss what it means to be an artist working today, in a globally connected society.  In addition to addressing theoretical and ethical questions about artistic purpose and responsibility, she will unpack practical strategies that every artist should consider.   From art as “Distant Early Warning System,” to artist websites, to art fairs, to the career trajectories of successful contemporary artists, Tassie will cover a range of topics that are extremely relevant to the emerging artist.

The opening reception will follow Tassie’s lecture from 7 to 9 p.m. during which awards will be given for select artworks.

Furthering the UMFA’s commitment to excellence and relevance,  Tassie oversees the collection of 20th and 21st century art, organizes the salt series of projects highlighting emerging international artists, and curates larger temporary exhibitions.  Prior to her appointment at the UMFA, Tassie served as the Director of Monique Meloche Gallery in Chicago, where she curated six to eight annual exhibitions of work by internationally renowned contemporary artists.  In 2011, she co-founded Gallery Weekend Chicago, a groundbreaking annual weekend focused on promoting and enhancing Chicago's contemporary art scene to collectors and curators.  From 2002 to 2005 she worked as an exhibitions and curatorial assistant at the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art in Ithaca, New York, where she contributed to education, collections, exhibitions and curatorial work.  Tassie holds a master's degree in Modern Art History, Theory and Criticism from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a bachelor's degree in Art History and Archaeology from Cornell University.
The Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery presents contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs that provide visitors access to the art of our times.  The Shaw Gallery aspires to engage a diverse audience, create a sense of community, provide insight into the creative process, and challenge visitors to contemplate, discuss and understand the historical, social and cultural context of contemporary art.  Gallery hours are 11 to5 p.m. Monday – Saturday. For more information call 801-626-6420.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University or visit weber.edu/dova for more information about the Department of Visual Arts and Shaw Gallery.
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Contact: Katie Lee, Gallery Director, Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery
801-626-6420 • katherinelee@weber.edu