By Kenndra Roberts
The Scene staff
The sculpture of a man’s head in Forest Park’s Annual Student Exhibition seems to scream with frustration.
The piece, called “Emancipation,” won second place in fine arts. It reflects artist Joseph Hellbergh’s belief that people often make life more complicated than necessary.
“It’s a release of positivity to overcome the negativity of the world,” he said.
Hellbergh, 29, created two of the 56 pieces selected to appear in the exhibit, which will run through May 7 in the college’s Gallery of Contemporary Art.
It’s a juried contest open to all fine art, graphic communication and photography students.
“It’s really an opportunity for students to celebrate their hard work,” said Associate Professor and Ceramics Coordinator Matthew Isaacson.
He served as a contest judge, along with Ame Mead-Roach, dean of Humanities and Social Studies, who chose the winner of the Dean’s Choice Award.
Isaacson judged for the Excellence in Functional Ceramics award.
“It is a challenge … to narrow it down to one piece,” he said. “Though, when it comes to what I look for, quality is No. 1, then a sense of beauty, functionality and scale.”
The award went to student J’Ann S. Allen for two detailed glazed plates, titled “Water Women 2” and “Water Women 3.”
Hellbergh is taking studio art classes at Forest Park to strengthen his portfolio. He wants to enter a master’s program someday.
His second sculpture in the exhibit is a bust called “Realized.” It depicts an older man in a calm state, his eyes closed as if meditating.
“Art is an outlet for communication (for me),” Hellbergh said. “And I want people viewing my work to understand that I construct ambiguously optimistic art.”
Graphic communications major Darryl Reece, 19, won second place in graphic communication with his bold and colorful poster, titled “Borderlands; The Handsome Poster.”
“I want people to see it and think, ‘Man, that’s cool,’” he said. “I also want them to recognize that it is based on a video game that has the same title.”
Reece plans to pursue a career in entertainment design, emphasizing fine arts.
“Art to me is a culmination of what the artist is or wants to experience,” he said.
Reece encourages all students interested in art to join the Forest Park Fine Arts Club, which meets from 2 to 4:30 p.m. every Tuesday in F-415.
“Don’t be afraid to start (creating art),” he said. “Because if you don’t do it, you will never know what could happen.”
One of the more somber pieces in the exhibit is “Yellow Rock,” a large pastel still-life drawing of a striped tabletop, covered with items such as a cup, mask and candle in shades of gray. The only colored item is a yellow rock.
The piece began as a class assignment that Professor Mario Carlos submitted because he thought student Chad Eddie had done such a good job. It won an honorable mention.
“I want people to view it and see quality,” said Eddie, 31, a general studies student. “It wasn’t a theory or personal piece, so there is really no message in it.”
Eddie considers himself more of a craftsman than an artist. He encourages students to balance tips and advise from instructors with personal creativity and point of view.
“Never lose yourself when creating your art,” he said.
A jury of faculty members selected pieces to appear in the Annual Student Exhibition. Duane Reed, owner of The Duane Reed Gallery in the Central West End, served as this year’s guest judge.
“Having an outside judge makes things very subjective (and) non-biased,” said Jamie Kreher, chair of the Fine and Performing Arts Department. “And it offers the students exposure to art professionals.”
A banquet was held on April 17, the exhibit’s opening night. Students who placed first, second or third in fine arts, graphics communication or photography received cash prizes.
Student Deanna Michele won the Best of Show award and first in photography for her shadowy nine-photo collage with four people in black and white and muted colors.