‘Quirky’ exhibit showcases works of art majors

Displaying a variety of art with a little quirk may seem unusual, but one photography student likes to see her work displayed at the Quirk Gallery on Broad Street.

For the first time, people could see senior photography major Erica Herrity’s two pieces selected by a blind jury displayed in a gallery.

“It felt good,” Herrity said. “It’s nice to crowd around the gallery and see all our work because we all worked so hard on it last semester.”

Because of Quirk’s photography exhibition, Herrity said she is more enthusiastic about future exhibitions and will most likely enter more photo exhibitions and art galleries.

“Now I think I’m more likely to frame and enter more of my things now that I see and understand the process a little better.”

Last week, Quirk Gallery hosted VCU’s Juried Senior Photography Exhibition.

“The work is very exciting,” said Kathy Emerson, gallery director. “In fact, we’ve remarked how much stronger the work is now than what it used to be.”

Being no stranger to VCU and the School of the Arts, she constantly communicated with each of the arts departments.

“I actually worked at the Anderson Gallery for 10 years, she said. “I worked very closely with the different art departments there.”

As for the photo exhibition, Emerson said she believes this is the first one that featured only VCU students for the 7-month-old gallery.

“Quirk really likes the exchange it has with the university,” she said. “It’s very important to us.”

Herrity’s two featured pieces, Birthday Girl 7 and Birthday Girl 10, came from a concept she created in a senior-portfolio class last semester.

“I actually did this series after taking a women’s studies class,” she said. “I’ve always done women portraits, but after the class it brought something new to my work and gave it a little meaning.”

Herrity said she developed the concept behind her birthday girl series to show young women still being encouraged to act childlike in society. Her works feature a young woman in a “child’s” gown prancing and celebrating her birthday outside on the grass.

Two pieces of Kerry Kolenut’s works were also selected. Kolenut said how Herrity’s pieces stood out the most to her at last week’s gallery reception.

“I really liked the images,” said Kolenut, a senior photography major. “The whole concept behind her work I also really liked.”

Not only does Herrity gain pleasure from viewing her art displayed at a gallery, she also enjoyed the exhibition since she rarely visits galleries to see other art.

“It’s so nice to look at art, but I don’t like to look at it too much,” she said. “When you start looking at art too long and at the details, and the art history, you are afraid your art may start to resemble other people’s art.”

Director Kathy Emerson said Quirk appreciates the positive relationship it has with the arts school.

“Considering the fact they are the strongest art school in the country,” she said, “they are such an asset to the city and Quirk.”

“And Quirk can be an asset to VCU because we really like to showcase their work.”