College of the Arts Exhibits Works by 2014 Graduating Bachelor-degree Candidates

The College of the Arts’ School of Communication and Media, and Department of Art and Design are proud to present culminating exhibitions and screenings featuring works produced by students graduating this year from their undergraduate programs.

Exhibition Dates and Locations:

• BFA in Industrial Design Thesis Exhibition: May 16-27 in the Atrium of the Alexander Kasser Theater (Opening reception at 8:30 p.m. on May 18,  following the College of the Arts’ Convocation ceremony)
• BFA Filmmaking Screening: "New Visions from Montclair State University," May 2 at the Bellevue Theatre, 260 Bellevue Ave., Montclair, at 7 p.m.
• BFA in Production and Design Senior Showcase: May 18, from 4-6 p.m., in the Dance Theatre, ground floor of Life Hall (prior to the College of the Arts’ Convocation on May 18 at 7 p.m.)
• BA in Fashion Studies Fashion Show: "Behind the Seams," May 7 at Memorial Auditorium at 7 p.m. 
• BFA Studio Thesis Exhibition:   May 13-23, at the George Segal Gallery* (Opening reception from 9-11 p.m. on May 18,  following the College of the Arts’ Convocation ceremony)

*Hours for exhibitions at the George Segal Gallery are: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday,, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursday, 12:30 to 7:30 p.m.

About the Exhibitions

Department of Art and Design

Dr. Denis Feigler, assistant professor and program director, said nine students in the BFA Industrial Design program will be showcasing their work at the thesis exhibition. They will be presenting projects that use design to address a wide range of issues including mobility impairment in the home setting, the dangers of dehydration in the military, urban bicycle theft,  commercial water safety, nutrition awareness, optical hygiene, pedestrian traffic safety and sustainable road lighting systems.

"Industrial design must not be mistaken with industrial arts," cautioned Feigler. He explained that industrial design involves a wide range of knowledge and skills, such as design thinking, problem solving and designing solutions. "This critical analysis of problems and development of solutions through multiple testing and refinements allows businesses to advance," Feigler said.

"My objective is, of course, to expose students to real-life scenarios on every level," he continued. "Therefore, I am constantly searching for industry partners with whom we can collaborate. I believe education today cannot be disconnected with reality and the only way we can make a difference is if we are able to provide opportunities so that this generation grows up to be responsible professionals." 

Feigler said graduates of the program currently work with major design firms and companies such as Movado, Toys ‘R’ Us, Marchon Eyewear, EK Success, MZ Burger, and Aqua Products.

"Industrial design is the hottest thing globally and I am proud to be able to educate the next generation of designers who will make a difference in people’s lives," he said.

Industrial Design exhibitors include: Shaina Barrise; Aviv Butvinik; Bagi Gorgioski; Geoff LaCorte; John Lombardi; Kevin Manthi; Rob Passaretti; David Song; and Stephanie Whittaker.

The BFA Studio Final-thesis Exhibition features painting, sculpture, film, video, graphic and mixed-media works by students graduating from the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Studio program. Students include: Alix Boudrot; Amanda Wilson; Brian J. Eick; Graciela Tineo; John Barrasso; Kaitlyn R. Meeks; Laken Whitecliffe; Miguel Paniagua; and Nicolette Sarzosa.

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Department of Theatre and Dance

Also showcasing their portfolios in areas including technical direction, costume and scenic designs, lighting and stage management, are nine graduates of the BFA in Theatre, Production and Design concentration program. The students include: Brianna Chin, Sarah Kimball, Christina Pfefferkorn, Noelle Rasco, James Sadler, Emma Slaney, Brian Sosa, Sarah Stouff, and Michele Quinn.

"Design for performance is a significant focus of the program and this showcase will feature the renderings and examples of realized work completed on campus," said Prof. Debra Otte, program coordinator for Production and Design. 

Two of the students recently won awards for their work.

"Scenic designer, Christina Pfefferkorn, won second place nationally for her Streetcar Named Desire designs, and Noelle Rasco’s costume designs for Take Flight won the Region Two Costume Design Award at the at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF)," Otte added.

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School of Communication and Media

Seniors and undergraduate students in the BFA in Filmmaking program will have their best short films showcased during "New Visions from Montclair State University" at the Montclair Film Festival May 2 at 7 p.m. at Bellevue Theatre, 260 Bellevue Ave., Montclair.

"New Visions from Montclair State University” is comprised of 7 of the top films created by students from Montclair State University’s BFA in Filmmaking Program. This year’s showcase event marks the third time that the University’s student films are screened as part of the Montclair Film Festival. This eclectic collection of films runs the gamut from a psychological thriller to two comedies to a film dealing with a terminally-ill child’s act of hope in the face of her diagnosis, and one about a lonely, mature woman finding love unexpectedly. (For more information and/or to purchase tickets, visit here.)