04/13/2010
Four SUNY Cortland seniors decided the best way to deal with a very bad case of senioritis was to present an art exhibition and entertainment showcase, which opens on Thursday, April 15, at 15 Main St. in downtown Cortland.
The project, titled Senioritis Productions, runs through Saturday, April 17. The three-day event is free and open to the public. The space will play host to an estimated 25 student artists, poets, musicians, dancers and more.
The exhibition begins at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 15, and concludes at 5:30 p.m., and will be open the same hours on Friday and Saturday. On Friday, a performance by The 37 Project follows the exhibition at 5:30 p.m. On Saturday, the exhibit concludes at 5:30 p.m. with a performance by The Green Machine.
What started out as an independent study for four SUNY Cortland communication studies students has now turned into a creative outlet for students of all majors to expand their educational and expressive horizons, said Matt Connolly of Lindenhurst, N.Y.
"The final product is not just about getting credit, it’s about bringing out students’ creative side in a way that involves the Cortland community,” Connolly explains.
The Senioritis Productions team, comprised of students enrolled in Professor David A. Hollenback’s communication studies independent study class, also includes Jeremy Walker of Norwich, N.Y., Dave Serginese of Malvern, N.Y., and Bryan Zavitz of Rochester, N.Y.
All are seniors trying to leave their mark on the College and their community.
“We would like to see motivated students carry on where we left off and continue the tradition of student involvement in the community,” Connolly says.
Two of the students recently met with representatives of the McNeil Group, which owns the location. With two Art Department faculty members, the Senioritis Productions team showed the McNeil Group a video of their goals for this event. McNeil Group agreed to allow Senioritis Productions use of the store display space.
After the team decided to run with the idea to expand the project to the whole student body, each member worked days, evenings and weekends all semester to create and put up the event they are hosting.
As a team, Connolly, Walker, Serginese and Zavitz will showcase the jointly created video about their collaborative experience at the "Senioritis Productions." Individually, each will display his own creative project.
For more information about the artists and a program, contact contact Zavitz or Serginese.