Metropolitan State University Gordon Parks Gallery presents NEXUS:Honoring the Self-Taught Photographic Artist.
This group exhibition features the work of Hmong, Laotian, African-American and Caucasian artists involved in NEXUS, a professional development program for self-taught community-based artists living in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The program, administered by the non-profit In-Progress, is dedicated to providing professional mentorship and exhibition opportunities to artists that have developed their skills outside of traditional learning settings. For this exhibition, six artists will present a diverse body of digitally produced images under the guidance of Minneapolis based photographer and guest curator Xavier Tavera. Participants include Alvan Washington, Lor Cha, Melissa Vang, Negussie Netsant, Dowls Nikol and Mary Richardson.
“Self-taught artists are often self-directed and have the ability to find solutions to obstacles they encounter and continue doing art,” Tavera said, regarding the exhibition.
The exhibit opens with a reception from 5–7:30p.m., Thursday, Sept. 15. The exhibit will be shown through Oct. 21. Gallery hours are 11a.m.–7 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The gallery is located at university’s Saint Paul Campus in the Library and Learning Center, 645 East Seventh Street.
For more information about the exhibit, contact Erica Rasmussen, gallery director, at 651-999-5942 or e-mail her at erica.rasmussen@metrostate.edu.