student art exhibition Archives

Belle Arte and Juxtaposed Generations: A Pop-Up Event of Student Work

From Joseph DiBella’s Topics in Painting, Summer 2016

UMW Distinguished Professor of Art Joe DiBella is retiring this year after almost 40 years at the University of Mary Washington. The work featured in this special pop-up is from his last class.

DiBella was the first Director of the University of Mary Washington Galleries (1983-88) and was instrumental in establishing the Ridderhof Martin Gallery. In addition, he was co-director of the University of Mary Washington summer program in Urbino, Italy (1994-2003). A signature member of the National Watercolor Society, he has shown his work in local, regional, national and international exhibitions. DiBella has taught courses in design, drawing, painting, color theory, watercolor and materials and techniques.

The special pop-up show will take place at Art Mart, 1405 Princess Anne Street, in downtown Fredericksburg on Friday, June 17, 2016, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be a spin-off show at Frame Designs Gallery in the near future.

“Five Femmes,” by Susan Tilt, 2016. Oil on wood panel, 48″ x 48″.

The University of Mary Washington Department of Art and Art History announced its student awards at the opening reception of the Annual Student Art Exhibition at the duPont Gallery on Wednesday, April 8.

Senior Taylor White of Stafford received the Melchers Gray Purchase Award for his video “A Lawful Order.” The work will become part of the university’s permanent collection. Senior Marie Firth of Vienna received the Emil Schnellock Award in Painting for her painting “Peggy Childers.” The Department of Art and Art History presents this award each year to recognize excellence in painting. Senior Khirstie Smith of Spotsylvania was presented the Anne Elizabeth Collins Award for her piece, “June Beach.” The following students also received awards at the exhibition’s opening ceremony:

Maddox Palmer of Arlington received an award of excellence
Christine Valvo of Stafford received an award of excellence
Ashley Most of Front Royal received an award of excellence
Katie Frazier of Lexington received the Art History Award for Outstanding Research
Alyssa Hughes of Chesapeake received The Melchers Award for Excellence in Art History

Tosha Grantham, curator of Second Street Gallery in Charlottesville, selected works for the exhibition from more than 100 submissions and chose the recipients of awards of excellence, along with the Melchers Gray Purchase Award, Emil Schnellock Award in Painting and the Ann Elizabeth Collins Award. The Student Art Exhibition will run through Sunday, April 26 in the duPont Gallery, located on College Avenue at Thornton Street. The exhibition is open to the publ without charge and selected works are for sale. The duPont Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Free parking is designated for gallery visitors in a lot across College Avenue at Thornton Street. For more information about the UMW Galleries, visit http://www.umwgalleries.org/.