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2 Students Featured In HCC Ybor Campus Gallery Show

Photo from HCC Ybor Art Gallery

“Momentum,” a collagraph print by student Laura Mendes, exemplifies the artist’s preference for the abstract format. It is one of the works that can be seen in the two-person exhibit opening Aug. 28 at the HCC Ybor Art Gallery.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

TAMPA - The Ybor City Campus Art Gallery of Hillsborough Community College is doing something a little different this year: It's starting the semester with an invitational show by student artists Eric Lawson and Laura Mendes.

"These two students have always done accomplished works in all media, particularly when we have our student exhibits throughout the year," gallery director Carolyn Kossar said. "They have worked very hard. They're just amazing."

Usually, HCC exhibits student works at the end of each semester.

"I thought it would be nice at the beginning of the semester this time so that returning students and teachers would see the show," Kossar said. "Hopefully, it will encourage students to enroll in the art department."

Although both students are accomplished in many media, the exhibit highlights their recent focuses.

Mendes, a student since 2005, makes use of representational and abstract formats in various media. But abstract forms are the norm in her prints and sculptures in this exhibit, a style she seems to prefer.

"Sometimes handling the medium or materials evokes a thought, an intention - almost as if it wants to be worked in a certain way," she said in a statement.

Lawson, 23, presents photographic images and wheel-thrown ceramics that seem to end up as sets even though he didn't plan that to happen.

"Basically, when I went to the wheel, my objective was to learn to make different things," he said. "The sets just happened in trying to make my skill better. I'm working toward coming up with a personal style."

Lawson's photography is usually eclectic in subject, but the works in the HCC show tend to feature many faces.

"They're almost portraiture, but not in the sense of studio sitting," he said. "I call it ambient portraiture."

Photography is Lawson's art as well as his bread and butter; he said he does a lot of event work around his native Tampa. "My father Robert is a professional photographer and I grew up around photography," he said. "My father told me that when I was big enough that I could pick up his camera case, I could go shoot with him. I was about 4 years old when I could pick it up. That was the beginning of being immersed in photography.

"I enjoy art. It's very important to me," Lawson said. "And to be able to showcase my work is an accomplishment in itself."

The show's opening reception is from 5 to 8 p.m. Aug. 28 at the gallery in the School of Visual and Performing Arts, at Palm Avenue and 15th Street.

The exhibit runs through Sept. 2. For details, call Kossar at (813) 253-7674.

Collective Seeks Works For Annual Exhibition

The collective known as [5]art invites artists to submit works for the second annual all-media exhibit, "White/Box/Group/Show," scheduled to open Oct. 10 at 1906 N. Armenia Ave., Suite 211.

The deadline for submissions is Aug. 29. For details about eligibility, fees and formats, go to www.five-art.com.

Correspondent Esther Hammer can be reached at (813) 259-7662 or ehammer@tampatrib.com.

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