Student’s Painting Earns Extra Attention at Recently Opened Student Art Show

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) Art Foundations program Student Art Show has opened and is now on display at Shirley Fiterman Art Center at 81 Barclay Street.

Studio Art professors selected student work from a range of classes in Color and Design, Digital Design, Drawing, Painting, Photography and Sculpture and 3D Design. The exhibition offers a chance to view outstanding works by up-and-coming student artists and designers and gives the students an opportunity to show their work in a professional gallery setting at the Shirley Fiterman Art Center.

The Student Art Show, which will be on display through May 10, opened with a special reception on April 19. (Image captions below)

As the golden afternoon sun beamed in through the Art Center’s giant windows, students, faculty and family members mingled about the pristine galleries, quietly talking as they studied and admired the more than 175 works of art featured in this year’s student show.

Among them was Art Foundations major Nicolas Castro, who along with his parents, were gathered in front of his painting in the north gallery. The large-scale painting—48 inches by 60 inches—is based on Castro’s memory of playing basketball on an upper east side basketball court. In what may be a first according to Art Foundations Professor Thaddeus Radell, Castro’s painting, which features vivid colors and shapes, sold to a buyer.

It turns out, the individuals who professionally install all the art work at Shirley Fiterman Art Center are primarily working artists themselves.  From day one of the installation process, one of the art handlers began expressing a strong interest in Castro’s painting.

“She kept saying, I really love that painting,” said Lisa Panzera, Director of Shirley Fiterman Art Center who adds that eventually, the art handler approached her with a question. “Do you think the student would be interested in selling the work because I’d really be interested.”

Panzera connected the interested buyer with Art Foundations Professor Thaddeus Radell who teaches Castro his Painting IV class that’s run as Independent Study.  On any given semester, Radell has one or two students working in the painting studio on typically large-scale projects.

“Nicolas is currently taking painting IV and this was a project from that class,” said Professor Radell.  “Nicolas often chooses subjects based on his family. Last semester he worked on a Thanksgiving dinner scene. This semester he did the scene playing basketball.”

Upon finding out the news from Panzera about a potential buyer, Professor Radell contacted Castro.

“When I found out, it made me feel very happy to know someone wanted to buy my painting,” said Castro, who added “it’s been good to be in the Art Foundations program at BMCC and work in a studio with Professor Radell and the other student artists.”

After BMCC, Castro says he plans to continue his education and eventually teach art to young people and adults.

“Nicolas works basically by intuition and his feeling for color and shape are highly developed,” said Professor Radell.  “I simply temper his intuition into a more pictorial language. I basically introduce the principles of advanced picture making to him and Nicolas riffs off of them, weaving his own fabric of expression. He brings a refreshing, positive energy to the class and his focus and work ethic are a constant inspiration to us all.”

BMCC’s Art Foundations majors are prepared for baccalaureate studies and a career in the arts. They can earn either an Associate of Art (A.A.) in Art History, or an Associate of Science (A.S.) in Studio Art. Mentored by BMCC art faculty, students build portfolios for successful transfer to top art and design schools.

“Most of the students are applying for transfer to art program and professional programs, and this exhibition, along with the Transfer Fair, organized by Professor Siobhan Mcbride, puts them in the context of the professional training they aspire too,” said Professor Simon Carr, program coordinator of the Art Foundations Studio Art program. “Having their work featured in the gallery goes beyond what we say in class and they can see the real value and achievement of what they have done.”

Featured artist images (above), in order of appearance. 

1. Leonie Smith, ART374, Painting Studio III, Professor Thaddeus Radell
2. Elias Alvarez, ART270 Portrait Drawing, Professor Siobhan McBride
3. Laura Muniz, ART101 Digital Imaging Studio I, Professor Jessica Ramirez
4. Kayla Vasquez, ART107 Color & Design I, Professor Jayne Holsinger