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July 16, 2010
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Art exhibit spotlights alumni works
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Evan Colbert’s (’03) printmaking specialty addresses such issues as global warming, carbon footprints and the butterfly effect. |
Metropolitan State College of Denver’s Center for Visual Art (CVA) is the meeting point for nearly 40 art alumni returning to celebrate two monumental occasions: the College's 45th Anniversary and the CVA's 20th Anniversary, both falling in 2010.
Their works, covering a broad spectrum of media, will be exhibited at MERGE: Metro State Alumni Exhibition 2010 – The Anniversary Year. The exhibit runs through Aug. 28 at the new home of the CVA, 965 Santa Fe Dr.
Evan Colbert (’03), who characterizes his printmaking specialty as “post-pop pop” uses his work to address today’s issues. “The 12 newly created pictograms featured in my painting are taken from these modern times,” he says. “They deal with such issues as global warming, carbon footprints, the butterfly effect and even anti-matter. One panel that attempts to address rampant obesity is titled "Pepsi Generation" and features the familiar pictogram person but with an enlarged midriff and a Pepsi logo for a head.”
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Mary Cay (’98) works in contemporary ceramics. |
Mary Cay (’98) remembers the impact her professors made in her life. “To say the Metro professors influenced my work would be an understatement,” says Cay, who works in contemporary ceramics. “They influenced my life. When I took Monica Visona’s art history course, she was so engaging that I thought I might change my major, but the clay always calls one back. The course of Rodger Lang’s life impacted my own and his philosophy on teaching continues to resonate with me.”
The MERGE exhibit was juried by Chair of the Department of Art Greg Watts, along with Barbara Houghton, former chair of the department. Houghton is now a professor of art at Northern Kentucky University.
"As the CVA celebrates its 20th Anniversary it is significant that these two jurors have joined forces," says Director and Curator Jennifer Garner. "Barbara Houghton played a considerable role in the creation of the CVA 20 years ago and Greg Watts has helped develop the CVA into its role today as contributor to the Rocky Mountain art scene and most recently, as an important anchor for the Art District on Santa Fe."
Eligibility to participate in MERGE was open to artists who graduated from Metro State in 2009 or earlier. All work was completed within the last three years. Highlighting some of the best talent to come out of the Art Department,MERGE features both emerging and well-established artists.
In honor of the CVA’s 20th Anniversary, Garner says alumni receive 20 percent off memberships through Aug. 28. Membership includes invitations to private opening receptions and special events, priority registration for public programs, 10 percent discount on exhibition catalogs and books, as well as a CVA membership card.
