The exhibit showcased both graphic design pieces and illustrations created by students throughout the semester.
Courtesy of Gavin Hadro | The Crow’s Nest
By Gavin Hadro
Seniors of the University of South Florida St. Petersburg graphic arts program publicly displayed their final works last Friday — the first in-person thesis display in two years.
The substantial variety in concepts lead the exhibit to be named “Contrast,” which plays on the artistic nature of the differences between all the pieces.
Guests were encouraged to discuss the projects in the Harbor Hall Gallery alongside the seniors, who dedicated months to creating and installing the works, and the professors who guided them in the process.
The 18 final pieces culminated years of education in the arts and displayed the result of a semester’s worth of work.
As each student chose a different theme or idea to expand on, the gallery offered a diverse collection of art.
On one side, there is “Card Critters,” a collaborative playing card illustration project by Casey Metro and Karyna Jimenez, while another area offers Lukas Walters’ “Reclaim,” a fictional, sustainable merchandise concept.
In addition to flat pieces, there were many three-dimensional accessories, copies of the artworks and other interactive aspects that made the exhibit much more intimate.
Some works used interactive elements to convey the artists’ intended message, like Valeria Costa’s “Sharing Secrets” piece that allowed guests to walk into and touch the display.
As with previous exhibits, “Contrast” will remain on display for the near future or until another exhibit replaces it.
