The 33rd International Print and Drawing Show
03/03/2011 4:58 PM
When Assistant Professor Heather Brammeier’s painting students reach their second year of graduate study, she partners with them to create a collaborative art project. According to Brammeier, this is the time when a student is finding his or her artistic voice. One such collaborative effort will be showcased this spring in the 33rd International Print and Drawing Exhibition.
Brammeier worked with Jerry Phillips, who earned his MFA in printmaking at Bradley in 2010, to create the piece titled “The Meeting of Two Aquatic Minds.“ The two were thrilled when they heard their work had been selected by the juror, Robert Marx. The beautiful piece featured with this story was recently selected for the Dean’s Purchase Award by Jeffrey Huberman, Dean of the Slane College of Communications and Fine Arts.
The 33rd Bradley International, juried by Robert Marx, will show beginning March 5 and conclude April 15. Works will be shown at Heuser Art Center Gallery, Bradley University, the Contemporary Art Center, 305 SW Water Street, and the Peoria Art Guild, 203 Harrison. The reception will be held on March 5 with a staggered reception at the following locations and times: Heuser Gallery 5-7 pm, Peoria Art Guild 6-8 pm, Contemporary Art Center 7-9 pm.
“The goal of the exhibition is to be a survey of contemporary printmaking and drawing,” said Elizabeth Kauffman, director of University Galleries. “It also brings a wide variety of artwork to Peoria and to Bradley, which is resource not only for the students here but also for the community. In general, it promotes the disciplines of printmaking and drawing.”
The imagery in Brammeier and Phillips’ piece reflects a shared interest in the fluid, curvilinear movements of aquatic life, and spaces.
“I love collaborating with my students,” Brammeier said. “I learn as much as they do from the process.”
Phillips believes it is important to surround himself with good artists and art.
“It’s very important that artists look at art and talk to others on a regular basis,” Phillips said. “Just having regular contact with others really opens and broadens an artist’s visual vocabulary. It spurs creativity and also establishes a sense of community. Art is easy to make. Good art is made when you surround yourself with it.”
Brammeier agrees that being an artist is a lifelong learning process. She shared her secret to success in producing creative, inspirational art.
“The most important aspect to being an artist is commitment,” Brammeier said. “Artists get a lot of criticism and rejection, so total commitment is required to keep moving forward.”