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NR16022

The University of Maine at Fort Kent Blake Library Gallery will feature Invent and Observe, the works of students in Therese L. Provenzano's Art 200: Fundamentals of Art-Drawing class. The exhibition will be on display through Tuesday, April 26.

Art 200: Fundamentals of Art is a hands-on studio course students take to meet their Arts & Humanities general education requirement. The course is a requirement for matriculating Art Minors. The main course objective is for students to learn the visual elements of art and the principles of design from exploring charcoal, graphite, pastel and watercolor. Students also learn to develop creative problem solving skills, acquire an understanding of an artist's intentions and form an appreciation for the art making process. Provenzano said, “Most students were working with these materials for their very first time. They gained comfort within the material's limitations and possibilities. Students also gained knowledge on observing reality and with other assignments using their imagination.”

Isaac White said, ”Participating in the art process helps you to be more patient and work slowly and carefully on different parts of a problem to ensure the best outcome. It also helps you to think creatively and to use different tools in order to complete the task.”

Shawnee Ellis shared, “I have learned that when I cannot solve a problem I need to take a step back and look at the whole picture. I am able to use this same strategy everyday with problems that occurs. Instead of focusing on one particular problem that is bothering me I have learned to take a step back and look at everything else going on, and suddenly that one problem doesn't seem so big.”

Duane Belanger said, “I decided to let the bulkiness of the medium, Alpha Charkole work for me. I used my eraser and smudging tool to move the Alpha Charkole around and force it into the nooks and crannies of the watercolor paper to develop value.”

Stanley Levesque commented, “I learned that I have more patience and potential than what I thought I had.”

Kevin Henderson Jr. said, “I have a lot to learn about myself as an artist.”

The students in the exhibition are: Cody Belanger; Duane Belanger; Brandon Bouchard; Shawnee Ellis; Kevin Henderson Jr.; Stanley Levesque; Molly McManus; Kyra Merrithew; Kristopher Michaud; Georgii Safonov; Kareen St. Vil; and Isaac White.

Visitors may view the exhibition during regular library hours. For more information, please contact Gallery Curator Sofia Birden at 834-7527.

For information about taking the course Art 200: Fundamentals of Art-Drawing for the 2016 spring semester, please contact Therese L. Provenzano at 207-231-4593.