The Dorsky Opens its Doors for BFA/MFA Thesis Shows

By Julio Olivencia

The Dorsky Museum hosted the MFA and BFA Thesis I exhibit from Dec. 5 to Dec. 9. The exhibit is the first of two, showcasing the thesis work of graduating students. The exhibit featured 12 students whose work ranged from photography to large scale sculptures. The MFA and BFA Thesis II will run from Dec. 12 to Dec. 16.

Ceramics and art education major Cameron Brown’s sculpture “Spire,” surrounded by dozens of ceramic cups he made and arranged titled “Your Cups.”
The ceramic cups part of the piece “Your Cups,” by BFA student Cameron Brown, were multi-layered, with the appearance of the top layer melting.
A visitor at the BFA & MFA Thesis I exhibit admires one of the ceramic cups up close. Visitors were invited to take a cup home with them, their numbers dwindled throughout the night.
The gallery filled with family, friends and other visitors quickly after the 5 p.m. opening. “The Spire’s” prominent position in the center of the room drew a lot of attention.
Adelia Roberts, BFA painting and drawing, speaks with a friend about her piece, “Aqueous.” The large scroll-like pieces used alcohol ink and acrylic paint on yupo paper.
“Blossom Machine 1,” by painting and drawing major Julia Murray. The piece contained acrylic paint, ink, chalk, pen and pencil on paper.
Another by BFA candidate Julia Murray. “Phosphene Dream 1” was made from acrylic paint, gouache, pen and pencil on paper
“The Beginning,” flanked by “Ascension” on the left and “Serenity” on the right. C DelFavero, BFA printmaking, used pastel, silkscreen, resin on wood to create the three pieces.
“Scroll 1” and “Scroll 2,” created by printmaking major Ryan Murray using rice paper, encaustic, handmade dyes, oil based ink and water based ink.
Ryan Murray’s “Fish in Bulbs” used wire, encaustic and paper to create a textured work reminiscent of a school of fish.
There was great turn out at the thesis exhibit. At one point it became difficult to move around.
A collection of found items, titled “One Woman’s Identity,” arranged by James Senzer, photography major.
This photograph by James Senzer was one of a small collection by the BFA candidate.
Ceramics major Ashleigh Thomas had a collection of pieces made from ceramic and wood. This arrangement is called “Untitled III.”
“Untitled III” by Ashleigh Thomas.
“Untitled III” by Ashleigh Thomas.
MFA candidate Reese Mattison’s “Obscura” was an interactive work. The sculpture major used fabric, steel, screen, mirror, wooden window frames, plywood, paint, glass, mylar and video to create a small walk in box covered in mirrors. Inside the box was a small clear cube with images projected onto it.
The cube in Reese Mattison’s “Obscura” appeared illuminated. The light was a light green color to the naked eye. To the camera the color was wildly different.
The exhibit was a chance to for graduating art students to show off their hard work to family, friends and the New Paltz community. Young and old alike attended the exhibit.
Vincent Spano’s, printmaking major, “The Trophy.” Made from cardboard, duct tape, plaster bandage, glue, acrylic paper and screen print on paper.
Vincent Spano’s piece “The Trophy” looked like a mounted donkey head, but with a stone feel to it.
Along with “The Trophy,” Vincent Spano dominated the back room of the gallery with “The Lone Observer.” The work was a multi part piece using a sculpture of wood, insulation foam, cardboard, duct tape, spray paint and a small television playing a cartoon.
The eerie sculpture of Vincent Spano’s “The Lone Observer” had a glowing blue light coming from within its head.
The sculpture looked on among the crowd at the television.
The corner was regularly filled with onlookers trying to get a peak at the monitor and sculpture.
The sculpture came to life on the small television.