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By MEGHAN V. MALLOY
Staff Writer 04/07/2008

enlarge Staff photo by Andy Molloy

UMA ART OPENING: University of Maine at Augusta Provost Josh Nadel is framed between an untitled clay sculpture by Paul Philbrick, foreground, and an untitled acrylic painting by Robert Doughty Sunday during the school's student art exhibition. Nadel, a former professor of art, was one of several people who attended the show's opening. The show at Jewett Hall will be on display until April 30.

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"This is a time to celebrate our students and their work," associate art professor Peter Precourt said of the annual exhibit, which started in the late 1970s.

Two judges from outside the university reviewed more than 150 entries and selected what they felt were the strongest pieces to be in the exhibition, Precourt said.

The more-than 80 pieces featured at Sunday's reception included pencil sketches, plaster sculptures, video displays and welded steel.

Of the selections, three were purchased by the university's art department, the College of Art and Humanities and the university president, Allyson Hughes Handley.

Handley purchased an ink and charcoal design done by Oliver Solmitz.

Precourt called the exhibit "much anticipated" by students.

Kari Leighton, a photography major from Augusta, said she was "incredibly shocked" the university's art department selected her piece, a photograph called "Antique Details," for purchase.

"As an artist, you're always going to be to your biggest critic," Leighton said. "I was shocked because I never thought UMA would want to buy any of my stuff."

Leighton, who grew up in Lee, said she uses her hometown and different aspects of her life as inspiration for her art.

"I think my art is an expression of who I am and where I come from," she said. "It's a great outlet, really."

Though his untitled plaster sculpture was not selected for purchase, Frank Navarro, of Fairfield, was awarded a certificate for outstanding work.

"This is the most into the art world I've gone," Navarro, who graduates in May, said. "This is my first piece to become more."

Navarro said he spent 40 hours on the plaster sculpture, sanding and shaping it into a twisting creation.

"UMA is a good school. It's a good place to be," Navarro, who takes classes in the music department alongside his art classes. "There's really something going on here."

Meghan V. Malloy -- 623-3811 Ext. 431

mmalloy@centralmaine.com

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