Meghan Zimbler
Photo Editor
Springfield College is like no other. The college provides a strong sense of versatility and shows that through the many programs we have here.
One thing that people might not always think of is the Visual and Performing Arts Department and the many things it has to offer. Recently, “Scratching the Surface,” by artist Julie Fraenkel, has filled the Blizard Gallery with various types of artwork.
“I’m inspired by so many different things,” shared Fraenkel, while talking about her work. The gallery includes mixed media pieces made out of paper-mache that employ the human figure, spread in the gallery on the 2nd floor of Blake Hall.
Even though Fraenkel is in our college’s art gallery, she is no amateur at what she does. Fraenkel graduated as a Fine Arts major, and later received a certification in Art Education from Johnson State College, in Vermont.
Fraenkel has an art studio in New Haven, Conn. where she works in sculpture, painting, drawing, mixed media and encaustics. She also participates in many galleries in New Haven annually.
Fraenkel works to show the essence of the human experience and describes her common theme as humanity.
“I’m so bad with word about my work. I always say, “If I was good at words, I would be a writer instead of an artist,’” said Fraenkel, jokingly. She wasn’t able to think of a word, but in this case, words weren’t needed.
This being her first college gallery, Fraenkel loved the idea of students being able to openly go to an on-campus gallery to see work.
“My work is an allegory. I employ the human figure… revealing the physical embodiment of psychological states,” Fraenkel wrote in a statement.
“Scratching the Surface” will be in Blizard Gallery, located on the 2nd floor of Blake Hall, until October 3rd.