Marshall University: Marshall art students to share their works with capstone exhibits

Brad D. Smith Marshall University President | Marshall University

By Charleston Reporter Reports

Mar 30, 2023

Marshall University’s senior art students will have their capstone projects on display weekly, beginning on Monday, March 27, through Thursday, April 20.

The Charles W. and Norma C. Carroll Gallery will feature four student groups, with a different group’s works on exhibit each week leading up to Spring Commencement. Throughout that time, staff will vote on the best pieces from each project to feature in the Birke Art Gallery the week of graduation.

Students have created artworks using a variety of media, including graphic design, photography, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking and more. Throughout the class time, they are taught how to produce something that will emulate life as an artist more than their previous work as a student, said Daniel Kaufmann, associate professor of art and design, who teaches the capstone class.

“This happens really their last year or last semester of their time here so, they’ve had all the experience of all their classes. And, they have to make a body of work—they have to make multiple pieces around a single idea,” Kaufmann said. “And I think that more closely relates to the art world. That gets them to really think about their work more deeply. There’s a fair amount of research that goes into it to have a better understanding of their ideas, or how their ideas relate to history, culture etc. So, I think it’s just a deeper kind of experience for them.”

Students also designed exhibition postcards to promote their shows, and wrote their own capstone statement and artist statement. During the opening of their exhibition, they give a brief 5- to 10-minute talk about their work and thank those who helped them along the way.

Receptions will be held on the following dates: