On Wednesday, November 20 Dickinson’s senior art students held an exhibition of their work titled “Works in Progress,” which included multiple mediums from ceramics to reclaimed wood and matches.
This show was the first of two main exhibits hosted by Dickinson’s art students, the second exhibit will be the final showcase at the end of the academic year. When speaking with artist Mbhali Edwards ’25, a student and organizer of the event, she explained that this show serves as a low stakes opportunity for students to create and display their work without the pressure of needing to fit the criteria for their final presentation held in the Trout Gallery. This presentation was made possible through the combined efforts of Dickinson’s senior art students, who did everything from create the art on display to planning the program to organizing publicity for the event.
The exhibit featured many art styles and mediums, from paintings to sculptures to ceramics. Not only were the mediums of the artworks diverse, but their presentations varied as well. One piece was hung from the ceiling while another was presented incorporating the floor of the gallery.
When first walking into the exhibit, guests were greeted by 250 ceramic birds on the floor of the gallery. This art piece titled “The Flock,” stretched all around the exhibit, intersecting with the other works on display. When speaking with its creator, student Trudy Chung ’25, she said that she chose to display the piece in this way because in most traditional galleries, art is up high, and she wanted to create a piece where people would have to crouch down to experience the art. She also encouraged guests of the event to pick up the different pieces and engage with her work, again defying the traditional presentation of gallery art.
The event was packed with students, faculty and members of the local Carlisle community. One student who attended, Abby Benham ’28, said that she was drawn to the event because of other events hosted in the Goodyear Gallery. Benham saw the art students working on their pieces during Goodyear’s open night sessions and said she “had to attend the event to see them finished.”
This art show was not one to miss and was a remarkable display of the talent of Dickinson’s senior art students. For those who were not able to attend, there will be a final gallery show of the seniors’ work spring semester.
