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CMU All Campus Exhibit kicks off Friday at The Art Center

Camille Silverman
Cultural Confidential Contributor
Ethan Dow sets up his work at The Art Center for the Colorado Mesa University All Campus Exhibit kicking off Friday, April 4.
Submitted photo |

Friday, April 4, marks opening night for Colorado Mesa University’s All Campus Exhibit at The Art Center in Grand Junction. The evening starts with a talk from juror Collin Parsons at 6:30 p.m. Then a free artist reception, music and snacks kick off at 7 p.m. as part of Grand Junction’s First Friday Art Walk.

Much has changed with the look and feel of this annual exhibit in recent years.

The students and faculty all have gone through a rotation, changing the look of the works and viewing space. The shift from the pictorial to abstraction is predominant in both sculpture and painting. A must-see piece is a beautifully done figurative animation video by Danielle Cox built from multiple images of intaglio prints. The level of craftsmanship and commitment to idea continues to grow every year.



Not only has the influence on these students shifted, but the entry process is now updated to digital submission. This year will also employ a juror from one of the top contemporary institutions in Colorado. Through the partnership of The Art Center and a university status institution, both are aiming for new heights in programming.

The Art Center and Colorado Mesa University are close neighbors and collaborate on many projects including exhibits, lectures and workshops. The All Campus Exhibit is supplemented by a Saturday free lecture at 11 a.m. by Parsons, a Denver artist and Arvada Center for the Arts curator. The lecture — “Hat Trick: Creating, Curating and Continuing the Artistic Tradition” — will focus on Parsons’ history, growing up with well-known sculptor and father Charles Parsons, and moving into his own projects as his work developed.



All First Friday openings and lectures are free and open to the public. Other exhibits on display are the CMU faculty exhibit and the Rockies West National Watermedia Exhibit.

For additional exhibition information, go to http://www.gjartcenter.org or call The Art Center at 970-243-7337, ext. 2. The Art Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Tuesdays are always free; admission to exhibits is $3 for non-members on Wednesday through Saturday.

The Art Center is located at 1803 N. 7th Street, Grand Junction, Colo.


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