News . Press Releases
May 01, 2014
Student work ranges from product design to painting to electronic games; culminating celebration at MOCA is free and open to the public
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ann McGuire
Director of Communications
amcguire@cia.edu
216.421.7417
CLEVELAND (Ohio) – One of Cleveland’s largest and most varied art happenings of the year, the Cleveland Institute of Art BFA (bachelor of fine arts) Exhibition, opens to the public this month. More than 135 separate exhibitions of artwork created by graduating CIA seniors will be on public view in CIA’s two buildings on Friday, May 9, from 5:30-10pm, and Saturday, May 10, from 10am–5pm. The BFA celebration is also open to the public, this year at MOCA Cleveland on Friday, May 9, 7:30pm-10pm. Admission to the exhibitions and celebration is free.
CIA’s Gund Building is at 11141 East Boulevard; CIA’s McCullough building is at 11610 Euclid Avenue; MOCA is at 11400 Euclid Avenue. All three are in Cleveland’s University Circle neighborhood.
CIA students spend months developing their BFA thesis exhibitions as capstone projects required for gradation. With the guidance of a faculty committee, each graduating student creates a body of work, and then a gallery space in which to display the work. After a week of faculty reviews, students open their exhibitions to the public.
“The BFA exhibition is the most important assignment that a CIA student undertakes,” said CIA President Grafton Nunes. “It’s the result of months of research and artistic exploration to create a powerful visual narrative. Creating the BFA exhibition launches the young artist’s professional career. And seeing more than 100 of these exhibitions together is just a thrilling art experience for our friends and the general public.”
At the MOCA celebration on May 9, Nunes will announce the winners of the 2014 President's Traveling Scholarships at 8:30pm. These are the cash awards that annually enable six CIA graduates to travel after graduation and pursue special projects.
“MOCA Cleveland commends the 2014 CIA graduates for the thought, creativity, and hard work that went into their BFA exhibitions, and we are proud to host this celebration in their honor,” said Megan Lykins Reich, MOCA’s Director of Programs and Associate Curator
About CIA
Founded in 1882, the Cleveland Institute of Art is an accredited, independent college of art and design offering 15 majors in studio art, digital art, craft disciplines, and design. CIA extends its programming to the public through gallery exhibitions; lectures; a robust continuing education program; and the Cinematheque, a year-round art and independent film program. CIA’s public programming is supported in part by the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture. For more information visit cia.edu.
About MOCA
MOCA Cleveland, founded in 1968, is a leading force in Northeast Ohio’s cultural scene and is recognized nationally and internationally for its presentation of contemporary art and ideas. For more information on MOCA and all of its programming, visit www.MOCAcleveland.org or call 216.421.8671.
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