WILSON, N.C. – “Oculus,” the 2009 Barton College Senior Art Exhibition, opens on Saturday evening, April 4, with a reception from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. in the Barton Art Galleries. This event is open to the public at no charge, and the community is invited to attend. The exhibition will run until Friday, May 8.
Art works by seniors Sarah Stoia St. Martin and Cameron Basil Gooch will be on view in the Virginia Thompson Graves Gallery. Gallery talks by the artists will be held during the reception with St. Martin and Gooch, at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively.
St. Martin is the daughter of Navy Chaplain Commander Peter St. Martin and Judy St. Martin, stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. She plans to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design.
She has combined her love of photography with her creativity in graphic design to develop several unique pieces for the senior show. Influenced by a period of residency in Japan, St. Martin has incorporated Eastern aspects throughout her works in the exhibit, including an Asian-inspired dressing screen that depicts a self-portrait as well as friends’ portraits. Another intriguing piece is a miniature book of poetry she has created to showcase various forms of typography.
St. Martin also has created a proto-type application of a letterform design project that included research in merchandising and product display. “The letterforms have been hand painted on china as a successful proto-type for china that one might see in a store like Pier 1 or The Pottery Barn,” shared J. Chris Wilson, professor of art and senior advisor. “The design is intended to appeal to a young audience and plays with the number ‘8’ as a major design motif on the dinning china, making a pun of ‘ate’ as an implied design motif.” In addition, St. Martin has designed banners with related letterform designs that would function as merchandising elements in the commercial arena for the line and could also function as table runners for a comprehensive design statement in the home.
St. Martin eventually hopes to earn a teaching certificate, but looks forward to working in the field of art and design upon graduation.
Cameron Basil Gooch is the son of Deborah and Basil Gooch of Elon. He also is scheduled to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design and Photography. His works in the exhibition will feature designs for recreational equipment including skateboards, snowboards, snow skis, and a skim board that are intended to appeal to a young, grunge-style consumer. Gooch’s clothing designs also showcase his comprehensive approach to a product design campaign. His inspiration, fueled by travels to New York City and other metropolitan areas, provides a strong urban theme for his art.
“Cameron’s work has greatly matured, and his urban theme with a young target audience is focused and successful from both a design perspective and an understanding of the need in today’s economy to seek a market niche,” said Wilson. “The work is exciting and dynamic and should successfully hit its intended mark.” Photographs and design letter projects by Gooch are also included in the exhibition.
Following graduation, Gooch anticipates a career in commercial design and looks forward to developing his own signature product line.
For additional information about the exhibition, please contact the Barton Art Galleries at 252-39-6477 or J. Chris Wilson at 252-399-6476. The Barton Art Galleries are located in Case Art Building on the Barton College campus. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.
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Questions? Please contact Kathy Daughety, director of public relations, at 252-399-6529 or email: kdaughety@barton.edu.