The Retort

Critic’s Critique: Northcutt Steele Gallery: an Overview of Its Importance

February 19th, 2010 by Lou Donaldson Of The Retort Staff

On the first floor of the Liberal Arts building is the Northcutt Steele Gallery. This gallery has been home to many different exhibitions over the years, from faculty shows which highlight the wondrous works of the faculty members of the art department to awe-inspiring shows put on by visiting artists, and as of late providing room for the Juried Student Exhibition, which is open to all students on campus.

The Juried Student Exhibition, once entitled the Student Independent Show, showcased work submitted by students that was independently done. Upon review of the constraints that students are under from school, work, and family, and given that most students do not have free control over kilns, forges, and the like, it was decided to change the guidelines for the show to make it so that "class work" could also be included.

Because of this change there has been an influx in the number and the quality of work received for this exhibition. The juror for the exhibition has to be a practicing artist or someone working in the field of art. In previous years both Bob Manchester, Senior Curator, and Robin Peterson, Director of the Yellowstone Art Museum, have been jurors. This year the juror will be Tana Patterson, a former student of MSUB.

The process is forward and simple: the names of the artists are concealed so there can be no chance of impropriety or favoritism, and the juror selects pieces based on their own personal preference and/or skill of technique. There are five cash prizes which are awarded at the reception; $300 goes to the grand prize winning piece, $150 goes to the top independent piece, and then there are three honorable mentions which are awarded $50 each.

If anyone is interested in putting something in the Juried Student Exhibition, applications can be picked up in the art office on the first floor of the LA building; ask Rebecca for one and she will get you all set up.

According to Grace Frankforter, former student and Director of the Northcutt Steele Gallery, a future show for the gallery will be Cuadros. As stated in the press release, "Cuadros, by the Peruvian Women of the Pamplona Alta as Visions of Hope Picturing Paradise, is an exhibition that features cuadros, which are embroidered and appliquéd fabric pictures created by women of Compacto Alta, a shantytown situated on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. The exhibition places emphasis on the women as artists and the way their art reflects creativity, resilience, and hope despite the harsh conditions of their lives."

This promises to be a thought-provoking and intriguing show, if anyone wants a sneak peek at Cuadros.