MSU art department announces fall senior exhibition

Contact: Sammy McDavid

Six graduating art majors at Mississippi State will have their best works on display during November at the university's McComas Hall Gallery.

Titled "Promethean"--a tribute to the Greek mythological character who taught the arts to humankind--the public exhibition opens Nov. 8 and concludes Dec. 4. Gallery hours are 10 a.m-4 p.m. weekdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays.

An opening reception, also at the gallery and open to the public, will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 11.

The seniors whose work is being featured include Tina R. Borntrager of Macon, Daniel R. Calcote of Brookhaven, Timmell L. Graham of Jackson, Chris S. Greer of Germantown, Tenn., Mark D. Isbell of Blue Springs, and Robin E. King of Slayden.

Their exhibition is a requirement for completing the bachelor of fine arts degree. In this showing:

--Borntrager uses digital photography to capture the images of women from diverse age groups and ethnic backgrounds to illustrate how all humans share the same emotional spectrum.

--Calcote, a ceramicist, employs clay forms, as well as textured molds derived from metallic surfaces, to create vessels that give a fresh spin to traditional concepts of the teapot and cup.

--Graham uses figurative sculptures to express the struggles, pain and victories presented in mythological fables and epic stories.

--Greer's series of painting and drawings--inspired by 20th century color field work--are the by-product of a copying mechanism he calls "disciplined repetition."

--Isbell's uses the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge as a source for images that, while autobiographical in nature, give viewers a different perspective on landscape photography.

--King's black-and-white photographs are titled "A Portrait of India in America" and demonstrate her keen interest in the cultural customs of other countries, especially as they interact with American rituals.

A part of MSU's newly designated College of Architecture, Art and Design, the art department houses the state's largest studio program. Specific academic emphasis areas include ceramics, drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

For additional information on the fall exhibition, telephone (662) 325-2970.

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LOCAL EDITORS

Borntrager is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Borntrager.

Calcote is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William Calcote.

Graham's residential ZIP code is 39206. Parent information is not listed.

Greer is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Greer of Germantown.

Isbell is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Isbell.

King is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles King.