The University Painter’s League hosted “The Christmas Show” on campus Friday and provided attendees with an opportunity to purchase student artwork.The Painter’s League’s first Christmas show was held outside Foster Hall and included a showcase of student artwork as well as paintings and Christmas cards for purchase.Alyssa Matthews, president of the Painter’s League, said the show gave members the opportunity to exhibit their work from the semester.”Our members are studio art majors and other students who are interested in painting and belonging to a community of painters, and this lets them show off their accomplishments,” Matthews said.Matthews said one of the great things about student shows is they are filled with diversity.”Seeing the variety of work is always the most interesting part because you show up to an exhibit, and since it’s all student work, it’s a group show, so you get lots of different variety,” Matthews said. “Everyone has different styles, everyone has different ways of approaching their class work, ways of approaching their artwork outside of class.”Matthews said the growth and improvement she sees in the artists’ style when she observes a show is amazing.”Especially if they show a series of work from one kind of show or one kind of class, you get to see how they progressed and what they’re proud of,” Matthews said.Matthews said the main goal of “The Christmas Show” is to get the University involved in the work of upcoming artists.”It’s a really good way to support students, even just by coming and looking around, and you get a sense of the community that surrounds art,” Matthews said.Jonathan Ryan, vice president of the Painter’s League, said the show is a great learning experience for the artists.”It allows the students to get a little experience showing work, selling work and learning how this whole process works,” Ryan said. “Our organization is trying to give a good transition to the students from being student artists to real artists in the real world.”Ryan said the best part about the show is the timing.”A great thing about ‘The Christmas Show’ is that the artists sell their work usually at lower prices to build up a name for themselves, and other students can give them as gifts to friends and family because what’s nicer than original artwork? It’s one of a kind,” Ryan said.Christopher Smith, painting senior, said the Painter’s League’s shows are a great way to promote the art of the art students and painters at the University.”I am a member of the organization, so since I’ve paid the dues, I’m taking advantage of the events by participating,” Smith said. “It’s a good chance for me to get my work displayed and have people see it and talk about it and possibly sell some things too.”Smith said the show is beneficial to both students and artists.”It’s a way for us to get our art recognized because otherwise, it just sits in the studio or classroom or hangs on a wall at home, and it’s a way for people to come out and get Christmas gifts,” Smith said.Pareesa Pourian, painting junior, said the best part of the show is seeing people’s reactions to the artwork.”We’re in the classroom all semester painting or painting on our own in our own spaces, and it’s really fun to see people come through and look at it and actually want to buy it,” Pourian said.Pourian said there should be more art shows like “The Christmas Show” because they are both enjoyable and advantageous all participants.”I think we need more events like this on campus and in Baton Rouge in general that promote artists doing their thing,” Pourian said.- – – -Contact Cathryn Core at [email protected]