By Jennifer Vazquez
The NJCU chapter of Kappa Pi Eta Rho, an arts honors society, featured their first annual exhibition “NJCU 1st Annual International Honorary Art Society Exhibition: Kappa Pi Eta Rho Chapter” in the Visual Arts Building (VAB) gallery. Society President Elizabeth Harney, 23, BFA Drawing/Painting major from Toms River, couldn’t help but mention that,” Yes, this is a very long name for an exhibition.” However, the name wasn’t the only thing packed in this show.
Kappa Pi Eta Rho is an art honor society on campus, with their very first show in 2010. In order to gain admission into the co-ed fraternity, you must be an Art major or Art minor; you do need to produce art. This art-exclusive society only accepts students who have been recommended by their professors, or (if you’re gutsy), you can submit a portfolio to be reviewed. This is the first time the society is run exclusively by students.
The exhibition was loaded with a variety of works made with different media from multiple artists. One work, Rupert Murdoch by Harney, became the attention grabber for the show as it was the largest piece in the whole exhibition. It was one of many striking works in the show that alluded to the level of skill the members of this art honors society have. “The show‘s purpose was to give members a platform to show their work and to make Kappa Pi more visible within the NJCU community,” said Harney.
The gallery was curated by the society officers; President Elizabeth Harney, Vice President Harshal Shah, 22, Digital Design/Illustration major from Jersey City; Treasurer Saira Anum, 22, Printmaking major from Jersey City; and “The Reporter” James Hernandez, 22, Illustration and Art Teaching Certification major from North Bergen. According to Harney the gallery featured art from “all members of Kappa Pi who wanted to show their work, and that included students, faculty, and alumni.”
The pieces shown were collectively chosen by the officers. Harney said there were very little complications in preparing the show, despite it being solely run by student officers. “We had a date scheduled for March and it got moved up and it was hard to get everyone’s work last minute, but we have diligent officers.” She gave majority of the credit to one especially diligent officer: Shah.
The exhibition opened on February 6, with an opening reception on February 7th, and closed on February 17.
While this exhibition has successfully brought attention to Kappa Pi in the art department, they aren’t stopping now. Not only is this the first of an annual exhibition, but they are also planning to have another exhibition later this semester. “We’re having a postcard sale where art from students, alumni, faculty, and nominees will sell 4X6 postcards,” said Harney.
The informal show will be in the VAB and held on the day of the annual art department barbecue. The money raised will go to the Kappa Pi treasury to fund other projects.
One other project they’re working on is an exhibition at a local gallery space called “Mana Contemporary” in Jersey City, a venue the members had once visited for a field trip. After having one gallery show under their belt, they hope to make their mark with many more exhibitions on and off campus.
