By Sharae Allen
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD – Camden County College art students got a chance to show their work recently at the 56th Annual Student Art Exhibition.
At 4:30 p.m. April 17, the doors of the Marlin Art Gallery opened for the start of the exhibition. Students, their friends and families chatted while observing the artwork. CCC art directors and professors stood by. The cafe area outside the Little Theatre offered hoagie slices, hot beverages, kale salad, cookies, fruits and vegetables with hummus. Solomon Williams played jazz music on his guitar.
About 6:10 p.m., CCC’s art director, Gregory Brellochs, began to announce the winners of this year’s exhibition, as Sarah Iepson, dean of liberal arts and professional studies, stood next to him. As the winners came up individually, the crowd clapped and cheered for each one.
“This show is my favorite of the year. It gives our students the opportunity to finish their work and present it professionally. Also, it is an opportunity to be rewarded for their hard work throughout the year. It makes them feel important for all they are doing,” Brellochs said.
After the awards were announced, people continued to browse the gallery and enjoy the cafe area.
“I think the show is a really excellent sampling of the variety of work that is done by our students. It is a selection of works by a couple of jurors. It’s what we feel most proud about and what the students feel most proud about,” Iepson stated.
Celeste Miner, 24, has been at Camden County College for two years. She had three pieces in the show. She explains her art is about her personal healing journey. “Exhale,” a self portrait, is a reflection of that big exhale and relief, a connection to her healing. The painting “Hope in Darkness” is about finding hope and light in the darkest of times. Her piece titled “Self Portrait in the Breeze” goes along with the first piece. It is about her love for and overall inspiration from nature. It is also about simply being in the moment.
“I am grateful for the opportunity. Art is just everything for me. I am just trying to put myself out there more. This is a safe space for me. I am building my confidence and also get to interact with people I don’t know,” Miner said
All of Miner’s pieces are for sale.
Danielle VanZandt Marchewka, 20, had three pieces in the show. She has studied at CCC for three years. “Ak47,” made of steel, is about gun control and where guns should be allowed. It is listed for sale. “Free Luigi” is a mixed media piece about the exploitation of the for-profit healthcare and insurance industry. It shows how it can overwhelm people and lead to their financial and physical downfall. “Self Portrait: Growth” is a grouping of petri dishes. They resemble her body and spark her personal interest in microbiology.
“I like art and wanted people to see it. I thought it would be cool. This is my third show. The previous ones were in Collingswood and Philadelphia last year,” Marchewka said. She explained art is a way for her to have fun with friends.
The opening reception lasted until 7:30 p.m.
The exhibition will remain open at the Marlin Art Gallery until May 2. Some of the pieces are listed for sale after the exhibition ends.
Art Exhibition Award Winners
Madison Mitchell – Honorable Mention
Jack Ambrose – Best in Animation
Taylor Eagan – Best in Ceramics
Paige Myers – Best in Drawing
Maia Kormer – Best in Film
Dung Ngo – Best in Graphic Design
Wilma Nilsson – Best in Painting
Mishelle Hernandez – Best in Photography
Rekha Chandra – Best in Sculpture
Annie Fredrickson – Runner-Up
Corrine Cargen – First Funner-Up
Wilma Nilsson – Best in Show