Zavitz Gallery propels student artists, one solo exhibition at a time
Zavitz Gallery is a launch pad for some of U of G’s most talented student artists. The room is tucked away on the second floor of Zavitz Hall, home to the School of Fine Art and Music. It’s a blank slate, with white walls and track lighting around the ceiling’s perimeter. But every week during the fall and winter semesters, the student-run gallery transforms with a new, vibrant installation.
Zavitz Gallery is a professional-level gallery that has hosted over 80 student exhibitions since 2020, with 11 more slated for the Winter 2024 semester. All studio art undergraduate and graduate students can apply to host an exhibition in the gallery.
The week-long exhibitions at Zavitz offer a rare opportunity for young artists. According to specialized studio instructor Monica Tap, students gain real-world experience during their exhibitions that prepare them for a career in art.
“Student artists are the next generation of artists,” Tap said. “So, they must have the skills to hit the ground running when they graduate.
“Zavitz Gallery is an incubator for the next generation.”
Tap particularly emphasized the value of solo exhibitions.
“This allows their work to be seen in its best possible light, and lighting.” she said. “It’s also a perfect opportunity for them to reflect on their work, to solicit feedback, and to share it. A solo exhibition is also a substantial line on their professional resume.”
For the students who host solo exhibitions, the experience has sparked new creative ideas and built their confidence in the world of professional art.
Gwyn Rossiter is in their fourth year of undergraduate studies, and they showed their first exhibition at Zavitz Gallery in September 2023. Rossiter’s exhibition ROADKILL was a mixed-media installation including sculptures, drawings, and paintings to explore “how human violence affects animals and ways in which this can elicit empathy for the viewers.”
“Being able to host my own exhibition allowed me to see what my future in art could possibly look like and allowed me to receive feedback from my peers and faculty members on my art, and what makes a good show,” they said. “I still have people come up and start conversations about my show.”
These sentiments are echoed by Zoe Dougherty, who has completed two solo exhibitions thus far: Rage Room in September 2022 and Virago! in September 2023. Dougherty’s paintings explore the chaos of female rage through motifs of blood, wounds, and flesh. Now in her final year of undergraduate studies, Dougherty appreciates how the gallery encourages student artists to form new connections and foster an artistic community.
“The fact that Zavitz is accessible to students and classes is extremely helpful for those who wish to view art,” she said. “It is free to visit and can be a space for feedback for the artist and their work. In addition, hosting openings is a great way to get to know other students in your program and discuss each other’s practice.”
Exhibitions at the gallery will resume on Jan. 8 and continue throughout the winter semester. Students and U of G community members are encouraged to visit the gallery Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Also, photos and descriptions of archived exhibitions are available online at zavitz.sofamstudio.ca.