Willard Lustenader, enjoys a growing international reputation as a post-modern painter. Educated as an art historian (B.A. Vasser College, 1979; M.A. Courtauld Institute of Art, London, 1981), Lustenader works references to historic artworks and painters into his finely finished, naturalistic paintings and drawings. He will discuss his work at the opening of the exhibition-7:00 to 8:30, Friday September 12.

A.I.G.A. is the professional organization of graphic artists in the United States. Periodically A.I.G.A. hosts prestigious competitions to recognize the best design work in America. The Melvin Gallery, in conjunction with the Florida Southern Student Chapter of A.I.G.A., will host an exhibition of the results of two of these competitions-Robert Recht, head of FSC’s growing and outstanding graphic design program will give a brief talk at the opening, which will be from 7:00 to 8:30, Friday October 17.

Come see the wonderful work that Southern students, freshmen to seniors, are producing in all media. Many works will be for sale. Alexis Serio, director of the art foundations program at FSC will give a brief talk at the opening reception-7:00 to 8:30, Friday December 5.

Eleven graduate students, in their final year at the Art Institute of Chicago, will show their work. This class, from one of the top art schools in the world, includes three whose work is included in the prestigious publication New American Painting-one of these, Terence Hannum, is a recent Florida Southern graduate. Hannum and James Rogers, Director of the Melvin Art Gallery, will discuss the exhibition at the opening-7:00 to 8:30, Friday, January 16.

Emerging artists Naomi Chung, Jolene Powell, Marlene Rye, and Alexis Serio explore new directions in the traditional area of l landscape. One or more of the artists will discuss their work at the opening reception, 7:00 to 8:30, Friday, February 6.

New works from Lakeland’s amazingly rich local community of artists. An awards ceremony will take place at the opening reception, 7:00 to 8:30, Friday, March 5.

Florida Southern senior designers present their work, done in both print and electronic media. The graduating seniors will be present at the opening, and Robert Recht, director of the graphic design program, will present the senior graphic design awards-7:00 to 8:30, Friday, April 2.

The work being done by our graduating seniors has become most impressive, and some are going on to top graduate schools. Please come see their work at this senior thesis exhibition. Bill Otremsky, Chair of the Department of Art and Art History will give a brief talk at the opening reception and will present the John R. Reuter Art Awards-7:00 to 8:30, Friday April 16.