As Spring 2011 academic calendar draws to a close, yet another crop of MFA graduates is unleashed upon the world, from schools and art departments across the metropolis. Amidst this slew of thesis shows, the particularities of each institution can be savored, providing an inside look at the ideologies, histories and culture of each and how individual artists synthesize such influences- or transcend them.
Most shows take place in the institutions themselves, but there are notable exceptions as adventurous programs seek out alternative spaces around the city, with better foot traffic, perhaps even better track lighting. Queens College students are to be seen at the NY Studio Gallery on the Lower East Side, for instance, while Columbia students can be found at the Fisher Landau Center in Long Island City. Parsons students, meanwhile, are taking over the Kitchen in Chelsea. Whatever the school or venue, however, the spring chickens will be cooking up a storm.
LISTINGS
(by date of opening)
Queens College Department of Art
Crosscurrents, MFA Exhibition
The NY Studio Gallery
March 23 – April 2
154 Stanton Street, 212 627 3276. www.nystudiogallery.com
New York University Steinhardt School
Department of Art and Art Professions
MFA Thesis Exhibition 2011
80WSE Gallery
Part I: March 29- April 09
Part II: April 26 – May 7
80 Washington Square East, 212 998 5747. www.steinhardt.nyu.edu
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10.30 am- 6.00 pm
SUNY Purchase School of the Arts
MFA Graduation Exhibition Series
Richard & Dolly Maass Gallery in the Visual Arts Building
April 18– May 6 (One week exhibitions for selected artists, changing display)
735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase NY, 914 251 6753. www.purchase.edu
Gallery Hours: Monday- Friday 10am – 5pm
School of Visual Arts
MFA Illustration as Visual Essay 2011 Thesis Show
Visual Arts Gallery
April 29 – May 14
Opening Reception: May 5, 6 – 8pm
601 West 26 Street, 15th Floor, 212 592 2145. www.schoolofvisualarts.edu
Gallery Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm
Columbia University School of the Arts
MFA Thesis Exhibition
The Fisher Landau Center
May 1– May 22
Opening Reception: May 1, 2 – 5pm
38-27 30th Street, Long Island City NY, 718 937 0727. www.flcart.org
Gallery Hours: Friday-Tuesday 12 – 5pm
Parsons/The New School for Design
MFA Fine Arts Exhibition? at The Kitchen
May 5 – May 16
Opening Reception: May 10, 6 – 8 pm
512 West 19th Street, 212 255 5793. thekitchen.org
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Friday 12 – 6pm, Saturday 11 -6 pm
MFA Photography Exhibition, at Parsons
May 9 – May 23
Opening Reception: May 17, 6 – 8pm
6 East 16 Street/79 Fifth Avenue, 12th Floor, 212 229 8900. www.newschool.edu
Gallery Hours: Monday – Sunday 10am – 6pm
New York Studio School
MFA Thesis Exhibition
May 11 – May 25
Opening Reception: May 11, 6 – 9pm
8 West 8th Street, 212 673 6466. www.nyss.org
Gallery Hours: Monday – Sunday 10am – 6pm
Pratt Institute School of Art
MFA Thesis Show at Pratt Manhattan Gallery
May 14 – May 28
Opening Reception: May 12, 5 – 7pm
144 West 14th Street, 212 647 7778. www.pratt.edu
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 11am – 6pm
New York Academy of Art
Uncharted, MFA Diploma Exhibition
Wilkinson Gallery
May 16 – May 27
Opening Reception: May 16, 6 – 8pm
111 Franklin Street, 212 966 0300. www.nyaa.com
Gallery Hours: Monday – Sunday 2 – 7pm
Hunter College MFA Thesis Exhibition
Hunter College/Times Square Gallery
May 18 – June 18
Opening Reception: May 18, 6 – 8pm
450 West 41 Street, 212 772 4991. www.hunter.cuny.edu/art
Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 1 – 6pm
