"White-Hot' exhibit at MOCA

News

Staff Writer

Would you like to see some contemporary art you haven’t seen before?

That’s the thrust of the new exhibit, “White-Hot American Summer,” in the UNF Gallery at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Laura Street.

Curated by students in University of North Florida art professor Raymond Gaddy’s Gallery Practices class, the exhibit consists of works from MOCA’s permanent collection, some of which have not been seen by the public for more than 20 years.

“In the spirit of a hot Florida summer, this exhibition celebrates sights, colors and moods of the season. In the collection you will find both monochromatic and color works that display the intensity and heat of the summer,” wrote student Sara Williamson in the abstract for the exhibit.

“From brightly colored floral paintings to languid and fluid underwater photography, the works exude all aspects of the summer – early morning dew to the lazy humidity of the evening,” wrote Williamson.

“This is the first show where students have worked with the permanent collection. This really represents the synergy between the university and the museum,” said MOCA Curator Ben Thompson.

The students, who are learning the skills required to manage a museum, went through the full curatorial process in developing the exhibit.

“First they developed a concept, then they sat around the boardroom table and pitched ideas to each other, then they sold it to us at the museum,” said Thompson.

Gaddy said that in addition to conceiving the idea, the students also decided how to display each piece of art, arranged the lighting for the exhibit and also developed a marketing plan.

“It’s their final exam,” he added.

“White-Hot American Summer” is on exhibit in the UNF Gallery at MOCA through Sept. 12. For ticket and membership information, call 366-6911 or visit www.mocajax.org.