Grad students to display artwork, take questions at UNC Art Lab

Master in Fine Arts students are opening their studios up to the public tonight in the UNC Art Lab, offering free food and a chance to see their upcoming works.

The art lab, which is located just off Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, will feature art from six current M.F.A. students from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

This is the first time that some of the pieces will be on display to anyone besides their creators.

Jessye McDowell, who is showcasing her video art, said she is excited about the possibility to share her original works with visitors.

“It’s a good chance to talk about your ideas with people who may have never been exposed to your work before,” McDowell said.

“It’s kind of a cool thing to show people works in progress and get their immediate reaction.”

Emily Beck, another student pursuing a master’s degree, is playing one of her pieces for the second time ever this weekend.

The piece is an audio documentation of people born into Christian homes and the progression of their beliefs.

“This is kind of cool because I get to show it to a bunch of people who haven’t heard it yet,” Beck said.

“I don’t know what will happen with that piece because when I showed it, it was to a group of professors.”

The pieces at the art lab vary from digital art to sculptures.

Traditionally a sculptor, Beck has transitioned into digital and multimedia art in the past year and a half.

“What will be displayed is video, audio and even some photographs,” Beck said about her work.

The art lab will be a bit confusing to navigate for those unfamiliar with the building.

“When you come in we will have food and stuff set up in the main wood shop,” Beck said. “But you will have to walk around the whole building to see which studios are open.”

Last year, M.F.A. students held an open studio that received poor attendance due to lack of advertising, organizers said.

But this year, graduate students involved hope to have a better turnout.

“In particular, we really hope to get a lot of undergrads out there,” Beck said.

“It is a good opportunity to see what a graduate program is like, what graduate students do and ask us questions in a way they normally would not be able to do.”



Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.