NEWS RELEASE
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| Thompson |
The artwork of four Park University seniors soon will be on display in separate exhibitions at the Campanella Gallery on the University's Parkville Campus. Students featured will include Emily Thompson, art education major from Olathe, Kan. (attended Olathe Northwest High School); Valerie Jahraus, fine art major from Parkville, Mo. (attended Shawnee Mission East High School, Prairie Village, Kan.); Lindsey Beem, art education major from Liberty, Mo. (attended Northwest High School, House Springs, Mo.); and Laura Korenak, fine art major from Kansas City, Mo. (attended Saint Mary's High School, Independence, Mo.).
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| Jahraus |
Thompson's exhibit will be on display Monday, April 30, through Monday, May 7. She said the exhibit represents her progress with visual art throughout her life. "I find artwork to be a process and a learning experience, and find a sense of pride and accomplishment when I finish a piece of artwork," Thompson said. "I believe that this is a great form of expression and can enrich one's life. That is what I hope to do with this show -- inspire and enrich the viewers' lives." A reception for Thompson's work will be on Saturday, May 5, from 2 to 4 p.m. Jahraus' exhibit will be on display Wednesday, May 9, through Wednesday, May 16. Jahraus received a bachelor's degree in management from Park in 2004, but "I could not let go of the idea that pursuing art would be a richer experience for my life," she said. "I enjoy painting portraits and find the human form gives me endless possibilities for interesting compositions." She describes her style as figurative representation with painterly brushwork. A reception for Jahraus' exhibit will be on Friday, May 11, from 4 to 6 p.m.
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| Beem |
Beem's exhibit will be on display Thursday, May 17, through Friday, May 25. Beem's love of art began in high school, and she now focuses on figurative work, papermaking and self-portraits. "I truly love the opportunity art gives me to express myself," she said. To date, Beem does not have a reception scheduled. Korenak's exhibit will be on display Sunday, May 27, through Friday, June 1. She describes her style as energizing and occasionally whimsical, encouraging the viewer to mobilize and become a part of the visual movement found within. "It is my firm belief that art is never stagnant. It is a living, moving, breathing entity and should be treated as such with the greatest fervor life has to offer," Korenak said. A reception for Korenak's exhibit will on Sunday, May 27, from 2 to 4 p.m.
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| Korenak |
The Campanella Gallery is located in Park's underground Mabee Learning Center, which can be entered through Millsap Foyer. Admission is free. Through May 13, hours are 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 4 to 9:30 p.m. Sunday through the spring semester. For summer hours beginning May 14, the library will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. For more information about the exhibit, contact Donna Bachmann, director of the Campanella Gallery and chair of Park's Department of Art and Design, at donna.bachmann@park.edu or (816) 584-6457.
