LCCC art show makes in-person return this spring

A year after the Lorain County Community College's Beth K. Stocker Art Gallery had to quickly put the Student Art Show & Portfolio Exhibit online due to COVID-19, the popular display is back to being an in-person event this spring. "Come out to see what art students in our region are doing at a college level," Stocker Arts Center Operations Coordinator Beth Bryan said. "It's a huge variety of work. It's the first open gallery show we've had since October, so we're very excited." The 2021 Student Art Show & Portfolio Exhibit is an appointment-only affair open through April 30 in the art gallery and surrounding exhibition spaces within Stocker Arts Center. LCCC Department of Visual Arts instructor and art program coordinator Joshua Eiskamp said the show has 210 pieces created by 55 art students. "The LCCC Student Art Show has been a staple of the end of the spring semester for years," Eiskamp said. "We missed the in-person (element) last year due to the pandemic, so this show carries inspirational importance and has generated excitement in the students and faculty of LCCC's Department of Visual Arts. "It covers a wider scope of time than shows of the past and gives the students an opportunity to share examples of the artwork they've been making during their studies from fall of 2019 through this semester. This show not only showcases student artwork but also displays the resiliency of the students, faculty, LCCC and community." The Portfolio Exhibition also features 40 pieces combined by two graduating artists — Angely Otero and Selena Rosalez-Sadler — whose pursuits at LCCC have placed a strong emphasis in the arts. In addition to the portfolio work, which can be found in the cases and on the walls outside the main gallery, visitors can expect to see ceramics, two- and three-dimensional design, graphic design, digital art, drawing, painting, black and white film photography and digital photography. "It's a very popular show," Bryan said. "We get lots of family members, friends and LCCC employees who want to see what's going on in the classes and what's being taught." Considering the past year, Eiskamp said many pieces are both directly and indirectly influenced by the pandemic. "The visitors can read the meanings of the artwork in person," Eiskamp said. "The show provides a great opportunity to see a broad and centralized cross-section of the work that our talented students are making in our courses. "It's also an in-person event that allows the artists to sell work. People should come out to see the art and support the artists." For an appointment to see the exhibit, visit bit.ly/3fSBiQz. Contact John Benson at Ndiffrence@att.net.