MFA exhibit to be held at Anderson Gallery

Mechelle Hankerson
Assistant Spectrum Editor

While other VCU students are preparing for finals by writing papers and studying, VCU fine arts and design master’s degree candidates have been pulling all-nighters in preparation for their final project: an exhibition of their work at the Anderson Gallery.

The MFA thesis exhibition is the final requirement for students pursuing a master’s degree in the VCU fine arts and design departments. Each student’s works are meant to represent the body of work they’ve created over the span of their two-year program.

Sarah Beth Basinger, one of  10 interior environments students, will be showing her designs of an eating disorder recovery center at the exhibit.

“Being able to combine my love for mental healthcare and the built environment has been fabulous,” Basinger, who received her undergraduate degree in illustration and interior design, said.

Basinger followed a strict process of studying construction plans and diagramming her plan before creating physical models of her work. In addition to construction plans, she studied architecture that related to her topic.

“One particular building that I did case studies of was La Tourette by Le Corbusier,” Basinger said. “I applied for a grant through VCU and was awarded a travel grant to go to France and stay at La Tourette and study its spatial qualities.”

This year, the first round of the exhibit will feature work from three craft and material studies majors, two kinetic imaging majors, two painting and printmaking majors, three photography and film majors and three sculpture and extended media majors.

In the second round of the exhibit, four craft and material studies majors will be presenting their work with one kinetic imaging student.

The first round of MFA thesis exhibitions will open at the Anderson Gallery on April 22 until May 1. The second group of theses will be presented May 6 to May 15.