In celebration of diversity, identity and creativity, Middlesex Community College hosted the Winter Art & Design Show “Perspectives on Identity” on Saturday, February 10. Held by Gallery Z, the event showcased the hard work and dedication of faculty and students in MCC’s Communication, Art & Design department since the summer of 2022.
“This is the first official show I've been in so it was a very cool experience to see my work up on the wall and hear people talk about it,” said Nico Yaffe. an MCC Communication, Art & Design from Rowley. “I believe art shows are very important to keep artists relevant and to help the public appreciate different work concepts and mediums. It's helpful for artists to have shows in their portfolio and to have the experience of their work being perceived by other people who attend.”
Yaffe has enjoyed MCC’s art classes, from the helpful faculty to the variety of materials available. Yaffe was excited to present a self-portrait created during a Printmaking 1 course, explaining an interest in morbid visuals. The image included a nude full body portrait with intestines spilling out, which Yaffe explains as “visually this is exactly what it appears and symbolically, I tried to suggest a sort of vulnerability to the viewer.”
“I believe art shows are very important to keep artists relevant and to help the public appreciate different work concepts and mediums. It's helpful for artists to have shows in their portfolio and to have the experience of their work being perceived by other people who attend.” - Nico Yaffe, MCC Student
Kaylee Perez, an MCC Communication, Art & Design from Lowell, believed the art show was an opportunity for connection – both between people and art and artists with each other. Enjoying the chance to see what other artists created, Perez displayed a self-portrait designed on Photoshop in a Visual Design 1 class.
“It was created as a self-reflection about my identity and I played around with it until it felt like me,” Perez said. “It was interesting to think about what made me, well me. MCC programs give many people the chance to shine and try out something at least once.”
Dr. Jennifer Bauer MCC’s Chair of Communication, Art & Design was proud of the collaboration between the team’s faculty and students to explore identity through art and design. Bauer explains that the show was a “testament to our collective commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of racial equity and inclusivity.”
“By integrating the rich insights from 'Race and Art Education' into our curriculum and classroom discussions, we have not only enriched our students' educational experience, but also taken a significant step toward actualizing our goals for equity and community engagement,” Bauer said. “It is my hope that this show will not only showcase the exceptional talent of our students, but also serve as a catalyst for continued dialogue and reflection on the vital role of art in navigating and celebrating the complexities of human identity.”
The show came together in part thanks to a professional development grant that allowed the department to include “Race and Art Education” (Kraehe & Acuff, 2021) into the curriculum. Students’ works explored the theme of identity and their reflections based on conversations and coursework completed in class.
“It was such a pleasure to be part of this unique show,” said Jeanne Cronin, MCC Professor of Communication, Art & Design. “Art merged with identity and sparked reflection, connections and conversation.”