Art Gallery to host Parkland College Graphic Design Student Juried Exhibition

From May 7 to June 14, the Parkland Art Gallery will begin the Parkland College Graphic Design Student Juried Exhibition. During this exhibition, students will be putting their works on display for a chance to win prizes and to be noticed by businesses and other groups. The event is open to the general public.

This exhibition is very important for the students who participate. In addition to the prizes available, participants gain exposure and add to their portfolios.

According to Parkland Art Gallery Director Lisa Costello, the pieces on display at the exhibition will be quite diverse.

“People who come to see the show should expect a wide variety of design projects,” Costello said. “There are web designs, posters, assignments about typography, map design and types of advertisements like billboards, magazines and signage. Other types of things include business cards, letterhead, menus and even product labeling. Designing Books is another really interesting thing to take a look at. We even have some of the books for sale. The proceeds go to graphic design awards for next year.”

According to Parkland’s Graphic Design website, some of the categories being awarded for are the Graphic Design Best in Show, the President’s Award in Excellence, the Davis Award for Outstanding Talent, the McGown Photography Award of Excellence, the David M. and Shirley A. Jones Student Art Award along with many others.

These awards will be presented on May 10 during the opening night reception, which will include food, drinks and musical entertainment. Winners will receive an award of $100.

The judges for the show will be John Bonadies and Matt Sharkey. More information about this exhibition can be found at gds.parkland.edu/exhibition/2012. Information is also available in the News & Events section of the Parkland College website.

The Parkland Guitar Ensemble will perform the music for the opening.

On Wednesday, June 13, there will be a gallery talk with Professor of Graphic Design Paul Young. Young believes this event has been very important to past entrants.

"Both the winners and the participants have done very well,” Paul said. “All the work in the gallery are portfolio samples that the students will eventually include in their own portfolio when they start interviewing. Because our graphic design program is focused on practical portfolio building projects, our students end up with very marketable portfolios and they do quite well as professionals."

More information for this and other events related to the art department can be found at gds.parkland.edu, artgallery.parkland.edu and the News & Events section of the Parkland College website.