Two Goshen College alumni complete Master of Fine Arts degrees, display artwork

Art Exhibit: Erin Coleman-Cruz, sculpture and Jordan Buschur, painting
Exhibit dates: Oct. 17-Nov. 16, 2009
Reception date and time: Sunday, Nov. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Location: Hershberger Art Gallery, Goshen College Music Center
Cost: Free and open to the public

GOSHEN, Ind. – The artwork of Goshen College alumni Jordan Buschur '01 and Erin Coleman-Cruz '02 is on display in the Goshen College Music Center's Hershberger Art Gallery until Nov. 16, when there will be a reception to celebrate the exhibit from 2 to 4 p.m.

The two artists are displaying work from their Master of Fine Arts exhibitions at their respective schools. Buschur received her graduate degree in painting from Brooklyn (N.Y.) College, CUNY. Coleman-Cruz received her graduate degree in sculpture from Northern Illinois University.

Buschur's paintings are based on imagery from popular mid-20^th century American magazines. She chooses images that can easily shed their advertising or news magazine past and become psychological situations filled with meaning.

"When I use the phrase 'mid-20th century,' I am referring specifically to American history and culture post World War II and pre-1964. I am interested in this era as a pre-civil rights, pre-equal rights era commonly known as  'the good old days,'" Buschur said. "I want to problematize nostalgia for this time ... and simultaneously acknowledge my own desire for all things "vintage.'"

Coleman-Cruz is inspired by natural processes, rural and derelict architecture, old domestic spaces, salt, rust and rot. In these objects, she sees a relationship to her personal journey to self-actualization and a broader communal identity, and transforms it from something useless into something meaningful.

"My sculptures are built from lived-used pieces of furniture and domestic items that speak about psychological and emotional states, coping mechanisms and the desire for nurture and mending," Coleman-Cruz said.

The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m.-4 p.m. on Sundays. It is free and open to the public.

-By Tyler Falk

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college's Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron's Best Buys in Education, "Colleges of Distinction," "Making a Difference College Guide" and U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Colleges" edition, which named Goshen a "least debt college." Visit www.goshen.edu.