By Meg Linton
The artists and designers of the Class of 2014 at Otis College of Art and Design are presenting a two-day, public exhibition of their work on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.
Otis’ annual exhibition has a long and rich history and this year the program has changed from a weekday event to a weekend-long celebration of innovation and creativity.
For two days, the entire campus is being transformed into an art fair featuring the final projects of the year by the seniors receiving Bachelor of Arts degrees in a wide-range of majors including Architecture, Landscape, Interiors; Communication Arts; Graphic Design; Fashion Design; Painting; Photography and Toy Design.
According to Provost Kerry Walk, “Otis’ Annual Exhibition showcases the exciting work of the world’s next generation of artists and designers. For the weekend, the entire college is turned into a spectacular gallery celebrating the creativity and the many fields our students are entering as young professionals.”
The weekend’s impressive schedule begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 10 with the opening of the Annual Exhibition on view through 9 p.m. that night. In between, there is a student art sale, as well as an Open House for Continuing Education from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. This will give the public the opportunity to find a new work of art for a budding collection and also to learn about the wide range of art and design classes being offered this summer for adults and K-12 students.
Saturday evening, for the first time ever, the Fashion Department is presenting a live runway show of student designs in front of the Galef Fine Arts Center at 7:45 p.m. This is a tailor-made variation of the legendary Annual Otis Scholarship Benefit Show that takes place on the first weekend in May at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and annually raises over a million dollars in much needed scholarship funding. To top off the evening, the students from the Graduate Public Practice program have commandeered El Dorado Lanes (the bowling alley across the street from Otis) for an ongoing interactive performance from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“The thousands of people who attend the show each year feel incredibly inspired by what they see, including fine art paintings, sculptures, photography, innovative products and toys, beautifully designed posters, books and websites, cutting-edge 3D animation and motion graphics, an architectural installation and a stunning fashion show on Saturday night,” said Walk. “Otis students truly shape how human beings see and experience the world, creating works that change the way we think and feel, work and play, sleep and dream.”
The Annual Exhibition opens again to the public on Sunday, May 11 at 10 a.m. and will close down at 2 p.m. in preparation for the commencement. This year, Otis will bestow Christopher Guy Harrison with an honorary doctorate. Harrison is the internationally acclaimed founder and head designer of the luxury furnishings brand Christopher Guy.
“Otis is opening its doors in a new way and sharing with our local community the results of some of the most talented young artists and designers working today,” says Laura Kiralla, Assistant Vice President of Student Success and Dean of Student Affairs. “Come learn, play and shop at Otis’ Commencement Weekend 2014.”
Admission and parking are free to the events, which are located on the school’s campus at 9045 Lincoln Blvd. in Westchester.
For a complete schedule of events, visit www.otis.edu/annual-exhibition
Meg Linton is the Director of Galleries and Exhibitions at Otis College of Art and Design and is a contributing columnist on the arts in the community.
