Gallery Space in the New University Center Shows Off Student Work
Monday, March 13, 2023
Reflecting on what he was able to curate, Aurilio commented, “The feedback from the
community has been great! It is wonderful seeing the students’ work and to relax in
that beautiful, new space among the remarkable artworks.”
Describing how the student work was created, Professor of Fine Arts Lauren Schiller, M.F.A. said, “Whether painting in Procreate on iPads, or in oil paint on canvas, students
work with the formal qualities of art- line, shape, color, value, and texture- to
design a composition that expresses their unique point of view. Students in Painting
I create a collage that they use as subject matter for their paintings. Digital Painting
students spend the end of the semester working on independent projects that utilize
the technical skills they’ve learned during the semester.”
Describing the background of the artists, Shiller said, “The paintings in this show
were created by fine art, design, education, biology, and psychology majors. While
technical skill is important in art making, it is always a pleasure to see each student's
individual voice expressed in their work.”
Some of the student artists were both surprised and grateful to see their work on
display. One of them, Patrycja Parafinska, a current junior, described her delight
in learning her artwork would be on display in the gallery. “I actually didn't know
that my piece would be displayed in our new building,” she said, “I accidentally saw
it when touring the new University Center with a friend. We were looking at all the
pretty art that was displayed on the wall when we saw mine. I was very surprised but
also very pleased and proud to have my work on display.”
Many of the students felt passionate about the work they produced. Junior Veronica
Carreras described her work “Surprise Lily” as a “representation of my love for character
design and art nouveau. It allowed me to experiment with anatomy, fashion, and oddly
enough, flowers.”
When asked to describe her piece in further detail, Carreras said that she used the
project not for any specific story or narrative, but instead as a way to incorporate
elements of art that she found interesting. “With that said,” noted Carreras, “this
digital illustration is my greatest accomplishment and greatest treasure. I am so
happy that I dedicated so much time and effort into it and I am even more happy at
the thought that others will be able to see it.”
The O’Brien Family Gallery is a new feature at the University and is part of the many
renovations of the University Center. Jim O’Brien ’82 is a Seton Hall alumnus who
contributed $1 million towards the renovations of the University Center. As noted
in a previous article, the O’Brien family have a history of making gracious donations to the University:
“Jim and Judy had historically steered their philanthropy towards scholarships and
programs rather than capital projects, but they eventually came to see the advantage
of having attractive and useful buildings on campus. When Jim was serving on the Board
(from 2006 to 2013, and again from 2015 to 2018) he and Judy made a significant gift
towards the construction of Bethany Hall, the admissions building to the west of the
main gate of the South Orange, New Jersey campus.”
To view the art work on display, visit the O’Brien Family Gallery located next to
the University Center Theatre. For more information, please contact Director of Production and Facilities Christopher Aurillo or the College of Communication and the Arts Associate Dean Ryan Hudes.
Categories: Arts and Culture
