A large globe-like sculpture resembling an alien spacecraft, constructed almost entirely from entwined wire with light from energy efficient bulbs beaming from the center, adds a new dimension to the Christine Price Gallery in the Fine Arts Center. The work by sophomore Sarah Kate McMillan is one of several on display that will be showcased from now until May and include an April 24 open house.

In addition, the work will be critiqued by an art expert from Dartmouth University on April 24. Jonathan Scott, head of the art department, said the critique will be beneficial to students.

“(They get to) hear another voice. They’ve heard all of us. Now they’ll get to hear someone outside of the institution,” he said.

Paul Bowen, a professor from Dartmouth, will be evaluating the students’ work and offer insight into the effectiveness of Castleton’s art program.

Bowen’s focus will be mostly on senior work, but will not be limited to those students with art in the exhibit. And though the art in the show is predominately that of upperclassmen, the work of select sophomores will also appear.

This will be the third open house/assessment Castleton has hosted. In two years another will take place, allowing for evaluation of this year’s freshmen and sophomores.

Castleton State sophomore Evan Romeo is grateful his art is included in the display.

“My professor approached me and asked if I would bring my piece in. As a sophomore, I feel honored,” said Romeo.

When asked about the motivation behind his painting, he said “You know writer’s block? I had painter’s block. It’s finger painting, with a focus on the three primary colors (red, yellow, blue).”

“Creativity is making mistakes, and art is knowing which mistakes to keep,” Romeo said, reciting a quote that inspires him.

When informed that her unique sculpture would appear in the open house, McMillan she said she felt “psyched!”

“I spent a lot of time on this! My goal was to represent myself as an artist as best I could,” McMillen said. “I was thinking about a lot of stuff! Thinking about society, and myself – where I was at the time.”

Excited about this opportunity in light of a career as an artist, McMillen believes that it will be beneficial to students.

“I think it’s a good start. It’s exciting that people can come see this,” she said.

Scott believes that the art program at Castleton allows students to be themselves artistically.

“We feel the important thing is for students to find their own means of expression – a way of discovering themselves,” he said.

Providing the students with a critique of the work will allow for fine tuning of the program, on both the teaching and learning ends of the system, he said.

The open house will take place on Thursday, April 24 between 12:30 and 2 p.m., and the students’ work will be on display through May 6.

An admittedly strong aspect of the exhibit is the wide variety of individual art, and student artists hope audiences will be pleased with the level of personal expression in each piece.

“This (exhibit) represents the core of talent coming from Castleton,” Romeo said.