Crossman Gallery welcomes alumni for exhibition

October 27, 2009

Ever wonder what happens to students once they leave the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater? The Crossman Gallery, located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts, is hosting an Alumni exhibition, from Friday, Oct. 23 to Saturday, Nov. 14. Work from these alumni demonstrates a timeline, beginning with Mutope Johnson, who graduated in the 1970s to Rachel Roemer, who graduated this past spring. Various art works include paintings, drawings, ceramic sculpture, as well as photography. Admission is free; however, donations are accepted. For hours of operation for the Crossman Gallery visit: blogs.uww.edu or call the gallery 262-472-1207.

Conceptually, the show centers around the idea of the passage of time and how studying at UW-Whitewater has affected the artists' lives and creative works. Mutope Johnson, the inspiration of the show and current member of the UW-Whitewater College of Arts and Communication Dean's Advisory Committee, graduated in 1970 and is the artist who begins this journey through time. Johnson's paintings center on the human condition and social realism is prominent as a topic in his work, which focuses on what it means to live as an American. Rachel Roemer graduated this past spring and is the youngest exhibitor. Many of UW-Whitewater's current students have had the pleasure of working next to her in the studio. Roemer's main body of work consists of larger-than-life portrait pastel drawings inspired from important women in her life.

Artists such as Patrick Turner, Greg Gent, Frank Korb and Jenni Brant are among the prominent exhibitors. These artists represent the middle of the time line consisting of graduates from the 1980s and 1990s. Turner and Gent have developed successful careers in photography. Korb utilizes photography in his work, as well as drawing. Brant works with ceramic to create intimate functional pots.

Ralph M. Selensky, known for his painting and photography, will also participate in the alumni exhibition. Selensky earned one of the first BFA degrees from UW-Whitewater in the 1970s. Many of his pieces represent the restaurant business, where the Milwaukee artist has worked for 20-plus years.

As a requirement of the BFA degree program, all graduating students must display a show in the Crossman Gallery. This show is a rite of passage and symbolic first step to creating a long lasting exhibiting career. Now these artists have returned to the gallery in which they once displayed their work to demonstrate the growth experienced in their absence. Whether these artists have recently graduated or have lived a lifetime since studying at UW-Whitewater, all are welcomed back with this exhibit. For additional information about exhibits at the Crossman gallery, visit blogs.uww.edu/crossman.