Three-dimensional design class shows unique work in exhibit at Kauffman

Shippensburg University (SU) students filled the lobby of Huber Art Center awaiting the opening of the Kauffman Gallery’s newest exhibit “Fantastic Function” on Sept. 30.

The exhibit features works of art by Shippensburg University students in three-dimensional design, a foundational course within the art major. This particular exhibit showcases unique clothing designs. At first glance, the room is filled with various articles of clothing, but here’s the catch; everything is made completely from recycled materials.

Visitors walk around the art, smiling, taking snapshots and staring in awe. With music bouncing off the gallery walls, one could only think about being in the middle of designer fashion show.

Steven Dolbin, SU professor of both sculpture and 3D-design courses, welcomed visitors to the gallery with a smile.

“I wanted students to challenge themselves,” Dolbin explained. “I wanted them to think ‘who would think of using this material?’”

Although the project might have been a challenge, SU artists displayed a variety of different works. Visitors even had the opportunity to witness a dress completely fashioned out of tickets, like those found at a fair, being modeled throughout the gallery.

Works of art also featured hundreds of coffee beans and colorful pool noodles to bubble wrap and metal bottle caps. One piece was even created with the use of used Little Caesar pizza boxes.

Each design took about 40 to 60 hours to complete. Although the project is time consuming, it is a student favorite, and has been for the past 15 years, according to Dolbin. The project allows students to explore and experiment with different mediums other than typical paint, clay or ink. In fact, three past SU students who have completed the very same assignment are now professional fashion designers.

While the exhibit returns every two years, it is always highly anticipated, and certainly does not disappoint. “Fantastic Function” serves as a constant reminder that art can be created anywhere, by anyone, with anything.

The exhibit officially opened Sept. 30, and will be located in the Kauffman Gallery until Oct. 23. For gallery hours to view “Fantastic Function”, visit ship.edu/art/gallery.