Class of (circa) ’65, on view in University Gallery at the University of Florida (UF) Oct. 27, 2015 through December 4, 2015, is the final exhibition of the year in celebration of the gallery’s 50th anniversary. The exhibition showcases two esteemed UF art alumni, Robert Fichter and Mernet Larsen, and features photographs and paintings, including photographs from the early ‘60s of Fichter and Larsen taken by Jerry Uelsmann. A public reception will be held Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 from 7-9 p.m.
The artists featured in Class of (circa) ’65 have had interesting parallels throughout their lives. They both grew up in Gainesville, Florida, and graduated from P.K. Yonge, UF’s developmental research school. Fichter and Larsen earned BFAs from UF’s School of Art + Art History and MFAs from Indiana University. The two worked together as editor and art editor of their high school annual and at a UF student magazine, Scope. Between them, they studied with Jerry Uelsmann, Roy Craven, Jack Nichelson, Ken Kerslake, Hiram Williams and other legends of UF’s School of Art + Art History.
Fichter taught at UCLA for three years and at Florida State University for 31 years. Larsen taught at the University of South Florida for 35 years. Larsen has worked in painting throughout her career, while Fichter began in photography, and is now known as a Southern Narrative Artist, combining imagery and techniques from myriad sources. Fichter and Larsen have had impressive and important art careers, both in the classroom and in galleries and museums.
“Their work has followed a course in the art world that has allowed for re-births, discoveries, experimentation and significant success,” said Amy Vigilante, director of UF’s University Galleries. “It is an honor to present this rich and layered exhibition that captures specific examples of evolution in art making by two people whom have had tremendous influence on many art students in Florida over the years.”
About University Galleries
University Galleries is comprised of three art galleries at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, Florida, and is an integral part of the programs and curricula of the School of Art + Art History.
University Gallery, located in Fine Arts B at the intersection of SW 13th Street and SW 4th Avenue, provides high-quality, thought-provoking exhibitions changing every two to 12 weeks that engage the university and wider community in stimulating dialogue facilitated by contemporary visual language and culture. For the past 12 years the University Gallery has collaborated with myriad UF colleges, community and regional entities in creating a trans-disciplinary venue for the visual arts. Exhibitions feature internationally-recognized artists, an annual faculty exhibition, a juried student art show and two MFA graduating thesis project shows. The 3,000-square-foot space is a lively, exciting venue that is utilized for many events throughout the academic year. University Gallery is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thursdays: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; and Saturdays: 12 p.m.–4 p.m. The gallery is closed Mondays, Sundays and holidays.
Gary R. Libby Gallery is an 850-square-foot space that presents monthly exhibitions of student-curated exhibitions featuring student and alumni artworks. The Gary R. Libby Gallery is located adjacent to the lobby of the School of Art + Art History’s Fine Arts C. The gallery is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and is closed weekends and holidays.
Grinter Gallery is located in the lobby area of Grinter Hall. Established by an endowment from Linton and Constance Grinter, its primary mission is to present international and multicultural artwork through student curated exhibitions. Grinter Gallery is open Monday through Friday: 8 a.m.–5 p.m. and is closed weekends and holidays.
Parking Information
Daytime parking is available in reserved spaces between Fine Arts C (FAC) and Inner Road. From SW 13th Street, enter campus on Museum Drive. Turn right on Newell Drive, then right on Inner Road. Turn left into the parking lot behind FAC. The first three spaces on the left are reserved for gallery use. Parking permits are issued to gallery visitors in the University Gallery.
For more information, please contact the University Gallery at (352) 273-3000 or visit our website at www.arts.ufl.edu/galleries.
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Media Contact
Leah Spellman, APR
Public Relations and Marketing Manager
University of Florida College of the Arts
Office: 352.273.1489 | Cell: 904.419.3346
lspellman@arts.ufl.edu
