By Elizabeth Valentin
Arts Editor
On September 8, the Esther Massry Art Gallery opened its doors to the public for the Karene Faul Alumni Exhibition Reception. This is a reopening of this exhibition, which was previously open from June 2-July 29. Friday’s reception was followed by a separate panel held in Saint Joseph’s Hall, where alumni were scheduled to speak to attendees.
This gallery is a dedication to Karene Faul, who worked for The College of Saint Rose’s art department for 40 years and was chair of the department for 27 years. Faul died in March of 2012 while still holding her position as chair. Kris Karistolmie, who works with the art department claims that this gallery is “a dedication to all of her hard work and shows how much all of her students loved her.”
This exhibition happens every two years, but changes the theme of the work shown. Marco Oros Castillo, graduate assistant for the gallery, says that “The shows are different every single time and it shows the diversity of the school.” This year’s exhibition showcases work that alumni have done in the graphic arts field.
Lauren Foley is a senior in the graphic design department. She began her college career as a studio art major because she had no idea how design and illustration could be tied together. However, when she learned how connected the two could be, she changed her major. She acknowledges the rigor of the graphic design department and says she enjoyed “being able to dip my feet in all the aspects of design”
Foley is glad that she changed her major and perused graphic design. She says that “I went in not knowing what design was at all. Now I’m a senior and I had a summer internship. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.”
Robert Comire, a graduate from 2006, is featured in the gallery and was in attendance at Friday’s reception. He explained that the school prepared him for the work that he does now through the versatility that the school taught him. He says “Now I’m creating ad campaigns and commercials, and none of that I learned from Saint Rose.” Kris Herrick, a former professor at the college believes it’s the problem solving skills that are taught that help students to widen their horizons and work in different areas of graphic design after graduation. Herrick, kick started the graphic design program and worked at the college from 1985 until her full retirement in 2013. She says that seeing her students leave the school and become successful in graphic design makes her proud. Herrick says “That’s a thrill and it’s all up to them. We have a magical four years with them, but then where it takes them, is up to them.”
This kind of exhibition is vital to the college because it allows for alumni to maintain a connection with the students that still attend the school. Comire mentioned that “The alumni network inspired me to aspire to the same greatness that the alumni had already achieved.”
