Galloway, N.J. — Over the course of two semesters, Stockton University Bachelor of Fine Arts students worked hard to put together an art exhibition to be displayed at the Art Gallery. At the exhibition opening on April 13, artists showed off their work and skills to an audience of peers, family, friends and potential clients.

Students worked all week leading up to the opening to put up their artwork and with Art Gallery Exhibition Coordinator Ryann Casey for much longer to make sure they had a game plan for bringing their creative visions to life.

At the gallery opening, Laura Randall – one of the exhibiting Visual Communications students – took a moment to thank Casey and others who made this exhibition possible.

Marissa Niceler, a Studio Arts student, spoke about the relationships she built with the Visual Arts faculty over the years.

“Mariana Smith has been amazing. You really are like a mom figure in my life, and I just really appreciate that,” Niceler said.

She also thanked Professor of Art Jedediah Morfit, noting that his and other faculty’s help and guidance “continuously (inspires) me, helping me grow and improve as a person.”

“All of us in this room are connected to art,” said Smith, professor of Visual Arts. “Let’s go forth and continue to see the beauty in this world, no matter how difficult that seems to be.”

Smith mentioned the rising use of artificial intelligence in the art industry and encouraged students to know their worth as real artists going out into the field.

“As the new professionals, this is your job, and this is how you separate yourself,” she said.

Laura Randall is one of two student artists who helped put together a mural for the Atlantic City International Airport, along with Visual Communications senior Evan Carr.

“It was definitely a very stressful process doing all of this in a very short amount of time, but I think it helped prepare us for our careers and it definitely paid off. Everyone’s exhibition looks so great,” Randall said.

Visual Communications student Emilie Guinan appreciated the amount of creative freedom students received when putting together their exhibition. She put together a storefront displaying some of her graphic design, sculpture and textile print work.

“As a graphic designer, this was a really great experience. I will never get another opportunity to express myself as freely as this. It was a lot of fun,” she said.

The exhibition is free and open to the public through April 29 in the Lower L-Wing Art Gallery. Hours are noon-7 p.m., Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Friday-Saturday. An Art and Industry Mixer will take place at 4 p.m., Tuesday, April 29 in the gallery. Click here to read more information on the artists and their work.

— Story and photos by Zuleika Rodriguez Garcia