Students are now able to showcase their artwork in a professional setting at the Tarleton Art Society’s first-ever off-campus exhibit, “Accumulated Visions.” Featured at the Cross Timbers Fine Arts Council’s gallery located at 204 River North Blvd., the exhibit will be open from Feb 4-25.

“Its incredibly important for students to have exhibition experience outside of Tarleton,” assistant professor of art and faculty advisor to the Tarleton Art Society, Chris Ireland said. “I think its imperative that students get into the habit of exhibiting their work as much as possible.”

For the two years Ireland has been a part of the Tarleton Art Society, the idea of an off-campus exhibit was not brought up until now. “We had a photo exhibit last year for my photo class where there final project was showing it at Tarleton’s gallery,” Ireland said. “So it isn’t necessarily the first time the school has worked with the arts society before but this is the first time we have opened it up for all of our majors.”

A range of students, including freshmen and upperclassman, submitted artwork including paintings, drawings, photography, digital prints, mixed media collages and sculptures. Part of the learning experience for the students is how to price their own work and at the end of the exhibit some of the works of art will be available for purchase.

“I enjoy having a chance to hear other people’s opinions of my work,” sophomore Grace Hallgarth said. “When you create a piece there are often themes, symbols, and stories formed within your head that you try to convey using your medium. By presenting the finished product before an audience and listening to their feedback, you discover whether or not you were successfully able to convey your message. One of the greatest advantages, however, is when viewers make observations that you hadn’t considered or necessarily intended.”

Right now, the Tarleton Art Society is working on locations outside of Stephenville for an exhibit next semester such as Granbury and the Dallas Fort Worth area. Tyler Siegrist, president of the student organization, said the Tarleton Art Society fosters positive personal development through educational relationships for its members and helps to promote the artistic development of students while giving back to the community and university.

“By considering other people’s observations and opinions, it can help me mature as an artist by showing me if my compositions and techniques were successful and in what ways I might improve future pieces,” Hallgarth said. “It’s also helpful from a career standpoint to have the opportunity to ‘get work out there’ for others to see.”