Photography show exhibits community

There’s more to find in the Davis Center than just dining and study space: it might also change the way students view the community.

Throughout April, the Davis Center will be hosting a juried photo show to showcase photographers from UVM and the Burlington area. 

The exhibit is being organized by the UVM student curatorial team, an organization that coordinates all of the art and exhibits in the Davis Center.  

The jury includes professor Bill McDowell, senior Stephen Chevalier and photographer Gary Hall, according to the website Davis Center Art Program’s website.

The photos will be on exhibit in the Livak Fireplace Lounge on the fourth floor of the Davis Center from April 6 to 25. The opening reception will be held April 8 at 6:30 p.m., with prizes for the first, second and third place winners.

The curatorial team was led by senior Julia Blasius. Although the majority of the photographers participating are expected to be UVM students, Blasius said the show is open to anyone from the Burlington community.

“It’s an opportunity for students, Burlington locals and any sort of photographer in the area to connect with UVM, connect with the Davis Center and show work,” she said.

The event will also serve as part of the Davis Center’s ongoing effort to showcase a wide variety of art, Blasius said.

“[The Davis Center is] a public space,” she said, “and art can enhance your experience in any building.”

This is the show’s second year. While the format hasn’t changed much from the first show, the show is “continuing to grow with the support of the student curators, the art department, professors and community members,” said Katherine Strotmeyer, assistant director for marketing at the Davis Center.

Student curators play a key role. “[Their] energy, enthusiasm and community connections really make this possible,” Strotmeyer said.

Blasius said the curatorial program is currently aiming to reach a wider range of artists, something she said she believes can help draw attention to community diversity and connection.

“It’s a way of bringing people together, if anything, and just showing people what we’re up to,” she said.