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The University of Maine at Fort Kent Blake Library Gallery will feature, “Drawing is a Language,” the work of students in Therese Provenzano's Art 351 Drawing class. The exhibition will be on display through Thursday, April 10.

Drawing is a Language represents student artwork executed in various dry media within the course objectives of Art 351 Drawing and also celebrates the anticipation of UMFK's Scholars' Symposium, The Language of Learning, in April.

One of the course objectives is for students to gain knowledge and skill that drawing is a language. Students experience that what they draw and how they convey what they draw sends a message to the viewer. Therefore, visual elements, concepts and how to use materials were emphasized. Provenzano comments, “I give the most challenging assignment right out of the gate. I do this, because, it acts as a catalyst in breaking the fear barrier right away. For example, the students were given a white chair wrapped continuously in light string to draw. Challenging? Certainly. then again, even more challenging when visual weight becomes the concept. Draw the chair to read unbearably light. Then, draw the chair again, to read very heavy. Do students at times experience frustration working through the creative process? Absolutely. But, this is where the greatest amount of growth takes place. It takes courage to make art. One can feel vulnerable because you are so exposed when you put yourself on paper.”

There are fifty-one drawings represented by eleven students. The majority of the students are art minors. Others are students matriculating as non-art minors or members of our community. Any student or community member interested in drawing can take Art 351 Drawing with the permission of the instructor or having met the pre-requisite of Art 200 Fundamentals of Art.

The students represented in the exhibition are: Kersti Ackley, Ellen Borges, Lacy Cyr, Mollie Hicks, Amber Kelley, Amos Michaud, Krystal Paradis, Katelyn Pelletier, Ivon Portellez, Kimberly Reardon, and Mark Schenk.

Ivon Portellez commented, "My drawings say a lot about me if you read into them a bit more. I feel the same way as the chair in my drawing. I felt like I didn't have a leg to stand on about something important. The good news is that something helped keep me together, just like the strings kept my chair together. The process of creating this particular work of art reminded me that it is possible to hold it together even when you think you're falling apart. I truly believe that there is an artist inside each and every one of us. The only difference is that some choose to embrace it, while others try to convince themselves that they just cannot do it."

Mark Schenk shared, "Life can be captured in lines and controlled by the will of the artist. The moment becomes my own and must succumb to my will regardless of the circumstances surrounding it. On the paper it is mine. Ultimately, that is what I enjoy most about drawing and creating art."

Amber Kelley expressed, "Art is a big part of my life and I am not sure what I would do without it. Art is my zone. Knowing that I did a good job and caught someone's attention makes me feel accomplished. If I didn't have this art class I wouldn't have felt as successful as I do today. “

Krystal Paradis commented, "Creating art takes me away from my hectic life and allows me to explore it from a different perspective. Every assignment had its challenges. I valued every project because from each project, I learned something new. The first assignment was to create a drawing that only contained light values. Throughout the entire process, I had to be consciously aware of how much pressure I applied with the graphite onto the paper. I plan to take more art classes in the future, not only to fulfill my art minor, but to learn more about something I love to do, make art."

Ellen Borges shared, "We learn to see our work in ways that allow us to develop the 'Artistic Gaze.' So many times, Therese during her class rounds has questioned me about my intent regarding a section of my work, or pointed out a part that needs more thought and attention. She has the artistic talent and expertise to provide stimulation, through patient, individual and class query, to allow us, as students, to examine those parts of our work that we can improve.”

Lacy Cyr expressed, “Sometimes the imperfection turns out to be the perfection.”

For more information on the exhibit or library hours, please contact Gallery Curator Sofia Birden at (207) 834-7527.