Perpich Studio Arts Department presents “Capstone 2022 Exhibition”

March 17, 2022

Perpich Studio Arts Seniors presented Capstone 2022 Exhibition on Thursday, March 17, 2022. The exhibition is showing in the Upper Gallery, Lower Gallery, and Basta Gallery through April 29, 2022.

Capstone grants artists of both visual and media arts the opportunity to devote themselves to a quarter-long project with the goal of representing their interests and growth. The Capstone Gallery is completely student-driven, from brainstorming original concepts to creating artwork, repairing and setting up their space, installing work, marketing, printing, critiquing, opening preparation, and removing the installation.

Capstone students gather in the Upper Gallery prior to their exhibition opening on March 17, 2022

In the exhibition statement, the students said, “Throughout the course of the third quarter, students worked hard to accomplish their goals by reaching outside of their comfort zone and into the unknown; spending countless hours developing their project while completing duties within time limits. The burdens these young artists suffer from the pandemic, the sudden war, and much tragedy over the past couple years lies heavy in the air. With these projects they can unravel their transformation and growth through such a turbulent time, and are grateful to share and celebrate their hard work with their audience.”

Max Endorf (Visual Arts 2022)

Max Endorf (Visual Arts 2022) created a piece in response to the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. “As an artist, it can be hard to express your anger on a subject in a professional way. My piece is calculated and it appeals to people because it is tongue and cheek. It is satire that makes you weep,” said Endorf. “We are living in a shot by shot, scene by scene remake of 1939 Czechoslovakia and Poland. If I would have done any other piece, I would have regretted it. As cool as anything else may have been, it wouldn’t have been as meaningful as this piece. It’s my duty, as an artist, to use my expressive voice to bring attention to the things that need it.”

Alex Johnson (Visual Arts 2022)

Alex Johnson (Visual Arts 2022) said, “The freedom that we got was really cool for this exhibition. I got to make something that meant something to me. For other exhibitions, we have more restrictions but we were cut loose to do something that we wanted to do.”

Izzy Fernandez (Visual Arts 2022)

Izzy Fernandez (Visual Arts 2022) said, “This was a moment for me to show part of my heritage. Native American women are dying everyday and we’re not really noticing it. It needed to be put out there. Even though it might make some people uncomfortable, that’s okay. This is happening and I want people to know that. I made the dress myself. Ribbon skirts represent strength and resilience. So adding ribbons and hanging ribbons from the ceiling was important.”

James Carothers (Visual Arts 2022) said, “This exhibition is completely student-driven so it’s satisfying but it’s hard work too. The process took a long time but as we’re finally getting it done, I think we’re all really proud of it.”

Congratulations to all the students, and their instructors, on a powerful and impressive exhibition!