Taylor Rollins photo: The 3-dimensional sculptures are on display in Zurn Hall.

The Mercyhurst Art Department is always giving students the opportunity to display their various talents of work that they do in the classroom.

Walking through Zurn Hall, one may notice life size figurines made of various types of materials. These figurines belong to the creative hands of students in the 3-Dimensional art class, taught by Professor Tom Hubert.

“The purpose of the project was to examine the human body and then creatively recreate a figurine using different media,” freshman Jena Skelton said.

Skelton used a mix of burlap, planting foam and moss glued altogether.

The 3-D class is the third course that is taken during the foundation year of all art programs.

At this point, students going through the art department for their degree have attained the basic knowledge of the elements and principles of design through basic art classes. These basic methods were put to use in order to create these works of art.

Students started by creating thumbnail sketches of possible ideas, and proceeded to translate those 2-dimensional drawings into a 3-dimensional figurine that had to be a minimum of three feet tall and a maximum of a full-sized body figure.

“The students had approximately two weeks to work on their sculptures, and they presented one at a time to the class with an oral introduction on how each student successfully accomplished the assignment objectives and how they could improve,” said Hubert. “The class then provides feedback in a critique of each work.”

Not only was this project about being creative, but also it was about expressing common motions of the human body.

Freshman Jordan Cargill used packaging tape and wrapping paper to create his figurine.

“We had to express movement through the figure to show proper design and concentrate on placing the body in a certain position that expressed the human nature,” said Cargill.

Walking by, you will notice the various types of media that were put to use. From paint and puzzle pieces, to garbage and fabric and tooth picks, the art pieces certainly attracts attention in as students walk past.

Hubert mentioned that some of the pieces have interior lighting that would not be seen as displayed in the hallway, so students have an opportunity to display their pieces in appropriate settings.

Other students aimed towards functionality while creating their pieces. Freshman Salina Bowe used foam core board so that she did not have to build an interior structure, but painted the centerpieces to give a sense of definition.

“This work was a sort of continuation from a small wire figure that we had to create for class,” said Bowe. “The stance of my figure is the same as that pose to show the different contours of the body.”

The figurines are certainly an interesting installation, and can be viewed in the hallway that leads to the dance space and the ceramics studio. For more information about certain medias used, contact Tom Hubert at thubert@mercyhurst.edu.