Students recognized for design, creative work

“Never stop listening,” a theoretical ad for Sony Walkman intended to counter the antisocial aspects of wearing headphones by encouraging interaction through the use of sign language, by UD students Ari Garber, Alison Cercone and Susan Schneider.

5:34 p.m., May 18, 2005--Twelve seniors from UD’s Department of Fine Arts and Visual Communications are exhibiting work at the One Club in New York City in the 11th annual International Student Exhibition, from Wednesday-Friday, May 18-20.

Designed to showcase the achievements of advertising’s future creative talent, the show has been representing work by students in UD’s Department of Fine Arts and Visual Communications for the past five years, and, according to Raymond Nichols, UD professor of art and visual communications, has been placing both the University and selected UD students in a highly prestigious design echelon.

“The exhibit is an invitational show, where the top 25 schools in the world are represented,” Nichols said. “When you consider that the University of Delaware isn’t specifically an art school and is one of the few schools represented without a dedicated graduate program in advertising and design or a finishing school for portfolios, being selected is really a remarkable achievement.”

Nichols said that most of the UD student pieces on exhibit are from theoretical advertising assignments completed for recent classes, often with the use of a computer and graphics software.

The 12 seniors representing their work are Alison Cerone of Pittsburgh, Neal Gallagher of Newark, Ari Garber of Wilmington, Benny Jackson of Newark, Brian Kadar of Flushing, N.Y., Ivan Markos of Wilmington, Kristen Martensen of New Milford, N.J., Nicholas Mordecai of Edison, N.J., Natalie Okin of Cresskill, N.J., Michael Papademetriou of Boothwyn, Pa., Lauren Santemma of North Bergen, N.J., and Susan Schneider of Manchester, Conn.

“The organizers of this annual event are always looking for new talent,” Nichols said, “and because this is one of the most prestigious shows in the world, we’re very conscious of the honor.

“UD’s Department of Fine Arts and Visual Communications has certainly had its fair share of recognition, but this show gives graduating advertising students a solid foot in the door.”

This year’s student exhibition at the One Club also will launch the inaugural One Show Education Festival, a three-day forum that gives students from around the globe an added opportunity to present their portfolios to top creative and design directors.

The show is free and open to the public, and an opening reception at 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 18, at the One Club, 21 East 26th St., will launch the three-day event.

For more information on the show, call Noah Lederman at the One Club at (212) 255-8455, extension 30. No transportation from the University will be provided.

Article by Becca Hutchinson

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