Alumni artists

Juried show features alumni work

An exhibition featuring works by Tufts alumni will be at the University Art Gallery from October 18 through December 9. Included in the show are works by 45 artists selected by three jurors who viewed more than 150 entries.

"Options," a 2001 ink on paper work by Samantha Simpson, who received her MFA in 1993.

"Alumni/ae Juried Exhibition" is only the second juried exhibition that has been held at the gallery in the Aidekman Arts Center. The first was in 1996. The installation celebrates the Tufts joint BFA and MFA programs that are offered in conjunction with Boston's School of the Museum of Fine Arts, a collaboration going back 50 years.

The works include painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, video and environmental pieces. The earliest graduate represented is Rose Olson, who earned her diploma from Tufts in 1954. Three of the artists completed their MFAs in 2000ÑSachika Iwata, Suzy C. Maier and Sophia Ainslie.

Artist Joan Linden, who was included in the 1996 exhibition, said she entered the competition again because she liked the earlier exhibit. "I'm really excited about being chosen to be in this show," she said.

The jurors were Edmund B. Gaither, director of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists; Elizabeth Stevens, manager of collections at the Salander-O'Reilly Gallery of New York City and an alumna of the Tufts program with the Museum School; and Miles Ungar, a regular contributor to The New York Times and former managing editor of Art New England.

The opening reception for the show will take place October 18 from 5-8 p.m., with entertainment provided by Tufts music department ensembles and composers.

Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, call the gallery at (617) 627-3518 or visit the gallery web site at www.tufts.edu/as/gallery