The latest exhibit by CNC's fine arts students celebrates the graphite that gets all over their hands while drawing.
Titled Caught Black-Handed, the display in the college library that's now open to the public, features 30 works created by 15 students enrolled in CNC's fine arts program.
"It's all about how smudgy and black our hands and arms got while we did these," said student Maleen Mund, who coined the exhibit's title. "The title was kind of a joke at first, and I put it out there to the rest of the class and everybody liked it."
"Graphite has all these different values, it all depends how hard you press," said Mund. "You can get rich darks or really light lights. You can create highlights and shadows."
Mund spent between 10 to 12 hours creating her large untitled piece that focuses on child obesity.
Ben Hawkins' untitled piece featuring a teddy bear, chainsaw, hard hat, and work boots, is a commentary about growing up in a logging town.
"It's a happy town growing up and then it's all about industry once you're older," he said. "Compositionally it came together really well. I had a lot of trouble filling the background, and it was tough to get the hat and boots to be the focus, but it worked. I'm really happy with the way it turned out."
Hawkins spent 17 hours on his piece and believes it's important for his classmates' work to be on display. "It shows everyone what's on your mind. It's not hidden in the studio, it's here for everyone to see."
Caught Black-Handed is on display in the library until Nov. 14. Library hours are: Monday - Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Thursday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.
