Williamstown, MA—Shocking and Awful, an exhibition of works created by artists in Williams College's Class of 2003, will open at the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) on Saturday May 17, 2003. The exhibition will feature work by 19 students, most of whom major in studio art at Williams. Shocking and Awful will be open through June 8, 2003.

"One of the highlights each year is the exhibition of work by our senior class artists—the only time that art by Williams students is shown in the Williams College Museum of Art," says Director Linda Shearer. "This year we will celebrate 19 students who have worked hard for their moment; their intelligence and creativity is representative of the Williams College liberal arts education. We congratulate them all in their first public showing in a museum."

About the Artists

Seventeen of the featured artists have participated in a senior tutorial course in their final semester at Williams. The course allows students to critically pursue their visual interests through various media and methods. On display in Shocking and Awful will be the synthesis of four years of experimentation, observation, and commitment by the artists.

"This was an easy class to teach," says Associate Professor of Art Michael Glier, who led this year's senior tutorial class. "I told them that the success of the class was primarily their responsibility, and I reassured them that freedom of expression was highly valued. Then I gave them empty space and this ambitious group filled it with ideas animated by feeling and craft. I love it when my primary responsibility is to get out of the way."

The exhibition will feature a diversity of media and styles. Among the creations in Shocking and Awful will be videos, live dance performances, installation pieces, wax paintings, abstract and figurative paintings, wall drawings and designs, woodcut prints, and movie props. Through these varied media, artists explore such issues as destruction and creation, vulnerability, and process. Shocking and Awful promises thoughtful and engaging work by a driven and demanding group of young artists.

Opening Reception May 16

WCMA will host an opening reception for Shocking and Awful on Friday, May 16, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Two performances by student artists will take place during the reception, and the public is invited to this event.

Publicity Images Available

Publicity images for Shocking and Awful and other exhibitions can be found at www.wcma.org/press.

The Williams College Museum of Art is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free and the museum is wheelchair accessible.

Contact: Jonathan Cannon, Public Relations Coordinator
413.597.3178; WCMA@williams.edu