Finlandia Art and Design alumni exhibit to open Feb. 18

Kayo Miwa's "Snow Covered Walk" is among the art works to be exhibited in the first Finlandia University International School of Art and Design alumni exhibit Feb. 18-March 24 in the Finnish American Heritage Center. (Photos courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- The Finlandia University International School of Art and Design (ISAD) will present its first alumni exhibit at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, from Feb. 18 to March 24, 2010.

An opening reception for the artists will take place at the gallery from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18. An artist talk will begin at 7:15 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

"Logo Design for Art on the Rocks" by Stephanie Lake is part of the alumni exhibit.

In the 11 years since the bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree program began at Finlandia University, 87 students have graduated in five concentration areas: Ceramic Design, Fiber Arts/Fashion Design, Interdisciplinary Design, Graphic Design, and Studio Arts.

The Alumni 2010 exhibit spotlights the current work of 22 Finlandia BFA graduates.

For 2004 BFA graduate Mike Godell, paintings evolve from doodles done while working as a graphic artist.

Graphic artist Mike Godell's "Owl Tree Bubble."

"My work is a place to rest, a place away from the exhausting qualities of the technologies that consume daily life," says Godell. "Lost in the patterns, while recreating moments that have etched themselves into my consciousness, I weave sensations of excitement and serenity with a touch of magic."

Melisa Gronowski ('08) may just use your trash to create her art. In pieces titled "Footprints," Gronowski poses questions about the environment and recycling.

"When you walk through the trash and rubble, do you leave footprints… or do you just add to the destruction?" Gronowski asks. "We tell ourselves, 'Someone else will take care of it.' What happens when an entire society begins to think that way? What are we left with?"

Ansley Knoch, "Costumes designed for Shoebox Tour, Iceland 09."

Robert Lake ('07) sees his design work as purposeful. "Through all the struggles I have been faced with I still wake up every day with the passion to design and create art," Lake notes. "I give thanks to God for giving me this gift to make the world better by not creating objects but tools for life."

Since graduating in 2009, fiber artist Chaslyn Duffek has started an environmentally conscious business called Wool Origins.

"Embracing a conscious awareness of the environment and producing functional, one-of-a-kind interior textiles is the foundation of my art," Duffek explains. "Designing and constructing each piece individually by hand ensures a non-toxic, eco-friendly process that requires full attention to excellence and detail."

Alex Zablocki, "Ceramic cups."

Additional mediums included in the Alumni Exhibit 2010 include ceramic design, installation art, fashion design, painting, drawing and art made from recycled materials.

The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday 12 to 4 p.m., or by appointment. Please call 906-487-7500 for more information.