MxCC Fine Arts Students Selected to Exhibit at the Hartford Art School

Two MxCC student artists, Susan Bukowsky from Clinton and Jamie Nowik from Moodus, were selected to be part of the “Community” exhibit at the Hartford Art School’s Slipe Gallery in West Hartford.  Their work, which includes oil paintings, color pencil drawings, photography, and sculpture, showcases the variety and quality of creativity achieved regularly at the MxCC fine arts department. The new exhibit, which is a first-ever collaboration between the Hartford Art School and the 12 Connecticut Community Colleges, runs through March 7.

MxCC Fine Arts Department students Susan Bukowsky (pictured) and Jamie Nowik were selected to display their art at the “Community” exhibit at Hartford Art School.

MxCC professors Judith DeGraffenried and Matt Weber selected these two students to represent the Fine Arts Department at the exhibit because of their impressive body of completed works.  Bukowsky’s five pieces included two oil paintings (a study after a Monet water lily landscape, and a vibrant depiction of an ocean scene from the bow of a cruise ship), two digital color photographs (tiger cub, and a facial profile of two elephants), and an alabaster sculpture of a fish swimming through coral.  Nowik displayed two oversized pieces -- an oil painting portrait of a woman, and a colored pencil drawing of Tony Montana from “Scarface” done in powerful dark hues on a piece of orange-toned canson paper.

More than 150 guests attended the opening reception at Slipe Gallery on Thursday, February 23, including MxCC faculty and fellow art students.  The MxCC artwork hangs on the first visible wall upon entering the exhibit – providing the valuable first impression to viewers.

“This is a wonderful experience for our students and our college,” said DeGraffenried.  “I really think Susan and Jamie’s work stands out at the exhibit as among the best of show, and as exceptional examples of the impressive work our students are creating.  They are wonderful, hard working artists who will enjoy great careers. We encourage everyone to check out this inspiring show while it is taking place at the Hartford Art School.”

Bukowsky began taking classes at MxCC after enrolling her son and then learning more about the college’s fine arts department.  She credits her professors with taking her to a much higher level as an artist than she ever imagined.  Today, she is a member of the Clinton Art Association and is building her reputation as a landscape and portrait artist.  Bukowsky will graduate from MxCC in May.

This was the first time Nowik has exhibited his art outside of MxCC and he was pleased with the overwhelmingly positive response.  He came to MxCC because of the art department, which he considers to be “by far the best” in the state.  He also will graduate from MxCC in May and plans to transfer to the School of Visual Arts in New York City to continue studies in commercial art.

Founded in 1966, Middlesex Community College (mxcc.edu) is part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Board of Regents for Higher Education. The school offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs at its three locations:  the main, 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, and the shoreline in Old Saybrook.  The college promotes understanding, learning, ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking.  Current enrollment exceeds 2,875 full and part-time students, and 1,600 continuing education students.