Student art shows weave unusual elements

Instead of letting her plastic grocery sacks pile up behind the fridge, Jayne Ottesen weaves them into wearable art.

“My mother and grandmothers recycled materials for dresses, shirts and underwear,” said Ottesen, a senior fine arts major. “Honoring the tradition of the women in my family, I, too, recycle material.”

Ottesen, who has shown her clothing at the STRUT Fashion Show at Flagstaff’s Orpheum Theater and at the Trash Fashion & Costume Contest in Santa Fe, is one of many fine-art students exhibiting their creations at the Bachelor of Fine Arts Student Exhibitions.

Ottesen will join graduating fine-arts majors Blair Whitaker (painting), Ryan Holandes (jewelry),Jessica Steckel (painting) and Eileen Clark (ceramics) at the BFA Student Exhibition II opening from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Beasley Art Gallery in the Performing and Fine Arts building on the NAU campus. The exhibit will run until Dec. 5.

The BFA Student Exhibition III will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Beasley Art Gallery and will run until Dec. 16. Graduating fine-art majors Rachel Cesnik (ceramics), Tatiana Smail (painting),Paul Folk (painting), Jan Miller (jewelry) and Heather Hoult (jewelry) will exhibit their work.

The BFA shows are a requirement for graduation. They are a culmination of a year’s work, said Joe Boles, interim director of the School of Art. Students are responsible for installing, lighting, marketing and hosting the opening reception.

“The talent being displayed is very impressive,” Boles said.

For information, call the Beasley Art Gallery at 523-3549 or visitwww4.nau.edu/art_museum/calendar.htm.