School of Art Presents M.F.A Thesis Exhibition with Alexis Kurtzman: 'Subject to Change'

Alexis Kurtzman

Beginning to End, Embossing, 36" x 360"

The School of Art at the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition with Alexis Kurtzman: 'Subject to Change'.

This mixed media exhibition will be at the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center March 31-April 27.

Subject to Change is a composed series of self-devised, ritually practiced, free associative action mark-making methodologies. Each procedure implemented by the artist is to explore various degrees of chance operations as she seeks to question and explore intuition, intention, interpretation and human participation.

Kurtzman uses a hybrid fixed method with a variable of the unknown to explore and investigate strategies, collaboration, control and working under pre-fixed intervals.

Through printmaking, drawing, and reversible-irreversible mixed media, Kurtzman's work possess strong references to the materiality and the passage of time as seen through change, evolution, or degradation.

According to Kurtzman, change and evolution are the very elements that have helped shape her M.F.A. journey. Originally from the east coast, after moving to Arkansas she found herself adjusting to a new academic and community environment.

While she describes the past three years of intense work as a whirlwind, Kurtzman said she values the life lessons and the striking changes in her studio practice both formally and conceptually.

"The most salient skill I will walk away with is superb time management," Kurtzman said. "Proper time management in an environment that is moving very quickly and progressively is the foundation for success."

Kurtzman said she is thankful to the faculty who have supported and pushed her to work smarter.

Kurtzman plans to spend the summer in Fayetteville while applying for adjunct teaching positions, print studio technician positions and long-term artist residencies.

Subject to Change runs March 31-April 27 at the Jim and Joyce Faulkner Performing Arts Center. Its opening reception will be March 30 from 5-7 p.m. at the Faulkner Center.