31 for 31: Over & Out

It's that day: the one full of teary eyes and the sound of luggage wheels crashing down the stairs. OS31 is leaving us after quite the semester and armed with some very poignant advice from OS21, OS29 (thank you!) and each other. We have 31 marvelous, talented, hilarious, sassy, and caring new alumni who we hope will keep each other and Dum Dums close to their hearts. Congratulations to all of you for hanging in there with us - from the earthquake to the "flood." You're all champs and we are proud of you and your time here. It's not a "goodbye," it's a "see you soon."

The blog will be back in action in mid January - just in time to share OS32's adventures. 

Installation Mania

You know it's full steam ahead when this box emerges. / Watching paint dry. / Finn and Patrick mid-installation.

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Some of these shots will look familiar to alumni who have experienced "Finals Week" at Oxbow;  a non-stop installation extravaganza where the campus is turned on its head. In a whirlwind of activity, our studios are transformed into galleries via a well worn path of cleaning, clearing, spackling, and painting. If we had a nickel for every coat of paint on these walls, well...we wouldn't be rich but we'd have a decent amount of pocket change. Students drive the bulk of this work under direction from the faculty. Playing a part in the entire process is extremely rewarding - students witness first hand their ability to transform a space and professionally present their hard work. At times, this is a very creative process as we troubleshoot how to install certain pieces these Oxbohemians' crazy artistic minds have cooked up. 

                               


       Local readers: mark your calendars for OS31's Open House this weekend, December 13th and 14th from 1pm to 3pm. Students will be present on Saturday to discuss their work so stop by and meet these talented and articulate young artists!

A Micah in his natural habitat. / Hannah N. touches up her installation. / Isabel and Jeff (at center and right) assist Charley with her project.

photos: Hannah N and Megan

Left: The back of the Sculpture studio is stuffed with stools, chairs, tables, and equipment from the other studios. Right: Niki preps photos for installation.

Making Their Mark

One of the things I love most about the Final Project month is how individuals' work spaces begin to form self portraits. While in the studios, students curate a record of their time here as shown in the accruement of experiments, notes, and snack cart refuse. Patterns are formed through repetitive movements, tools are arranged in particular order and disorder, and materials reappear throughout in various forms: contained or in smudges, spills, drips, piles, charts. Each workspace is an abstract version of the final art piece. The studios take on the characteristics of multiple people- wandering through can feel like traveling between many worlds. Don't forget OS31's Final Show weekend December 13th and 14th!

Chris R, Kendall M, Cecelia H

(above) Kevin O and Sam S

(below) Isabella A and Liz C

Hannah N...and all the printmakers