Shared Spotlight

Five student artists from North Lake College will showcase their work in the fall 2004 Student Spotlight Exhibit, Aug. 19 through Sept. 9, in the Gallery. A reception will be held Sept. 8, from
7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and everyone will have an opportunity to meet the artists -- Mark Dungan, Darcy Neal, Shabbir Degani, Tim Harding and Jena Rushing – and talk to them about their art.

“This will be a rare opportunity to see the artists and the artwork together,” said Jena Rushing, who is majoring in art and about to begin her fourth semester at NLC.

Overall, this group of five said that they do share a common nervousness, since this exhibit will expose a very personal side to each individual artist. When asked how she felt about the upcoming show, Neal said, “There is a personal attachment to anything and everything you produce as an artist…it is almost as if we are allowing perfect strangers to read the intimate details of a journal, or sharing some kind of secret with someone you’ve never met before.

“Each of us feels extremely honored to have been chosen, but that joy is mixed with the anxiousness of being exposed to those around you…I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Neal said.

A variety of art mediums will be on display in the exhibit, including Rushing’s acrylics, charcoal, and mixed media, Neal’s pottery, Degani’s photography and graphic design, Harding‘s acrylics, watercolors, ink drawings and sketches, and Dungan’s detailed and eclectic graphic design.

“Most of all, I hope our show communicates to each viewer exactly how much time and effort we’ve put into this collection,” said Degani, “but most of all, the passion with which we create.”

The proud instructors of these young artists include Bob Nunn, who teaches painting and is also the Gallery director; Chris Fulmer, who teaches drawing and graphic design; Byron Black, who teaches advanced classes of graphic design, and Marty Ray, who teaches pottery and ceramics. “This is the most diverse and creative group of artists I have ever worked with,” said Dungan, who also designed the creative postcard, above.

Harding agreed. “Collectively, we would like to expose our depth, as well as the broad spectrum of creativity and individuality to this show…we want to spark the interest of the audience and inspire each other,” he said.

To learn more about the art classes available at North Lake College, call the Visual and Performing Arts Teaching and Learning Center at 972-273-3560.