Nine students in Ashford University’s 3-D Design Class will showcase their art in an exhibit titled “After Nevelson.” The exhibit will be held in the university’s Cortona Art Gallery from November 7-14, with an artists’ reception planned for 8:45-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

According to Anna Pagnucci, art professor and director of the art gallery, students were asked to create large scale surrealist box based sculptures similar to the ones made by artist Louise Nevelson.  “The students in our three-dimensional design class have been doing some really interesting work this semester,” she said. “They have studied mask use and culture and created a piece for a masquerade ball. They studied Native American totems and created their own personal spirituality-based piece.  Most recently they have studied the surrealist sculpture pieces of Louise Nevelson. They have created work in her style but dealing with their own personal iconography.”

The artwork of the following students will be featured in the exhibit: Carmen Bechtel, Clinton, Iowa; Sarah Garvick, New Lenox, Ill.; Samantha Green, Streator, Ill.; Corrine Hubbard, Machesney Park, Ill.; Chelsea King, Morrison, Ill.; Rachel Neymeyer, Camanche, Iowa; Danielle Rzewnicki, Hardwood Heights, Ill.; Andrea Salter, Clinton, Iowa and Ashley Schwenneker, Moline, Ill.

Ashford typically displays student work around campus and has a major student show each spring. “However,” Pagnucci said, “these current box sculptures that the students are making have such interesting elements, lighting twists and fantastic plays on balance and theme that the students needed a display outlet that would really showcase the pieces. The Cortona gallery lighting will be perfect for this type of display, and we were able to squeeze in a small time slot for a mini-exhibition to feature this work.”

She also noted, “Part of my goal as gallery director is to bring art and culture to the students, campus and community as a whole. This work has some unusual qualities in keeping with the modern age of contemporary work, and an exhibit of this nature should both foster creativity in our visual art majors as well as expose the rest of the community to some of the diversity that we see in the art world as a whole.”

The Cortona Art Gallery is located on the second floor of Ashford University’s St. Clare Hall at 400 North Bluff Boulevard in Clinton. The Gallery is named for Sister Cortona Phelan, OSF, former president of Mount St. Clare College (MSC) and former president of the Sisters of St. Francis. For many years, Sister Cortona influenced the quality of education at the college through her teaching of American history and her love of the arts. She also served as MSC Academy principal and as dean of students at the college.

The gallery is open to the public, free of charge, every weekday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and for private showings by appointment. For further information, please call 563.242.4023.

About Ashford University

Achievement belongs to all of us at Ashford University. By offering a traditional college campus as well as online degree programs, Ashford meets the diverse needs of individuals pursuing integrity in their lives and in their communities. Students may earn an associates, bachelor’s, or master’s degree online, while campus students in Clinton, Iowa may earn a bachelor’s degree. Whether on campus or online, Ashford students enjoy the same supportive community. For more information, please visit ashford.edu or call Shari Winet Rodriguez, Vice President of Public Relations, at 858.513.9240 x2513.