Juried student exhibition through Jan. 30 at Hillestad Textiles Gallery

Seventeen University of Nebraska-Lincoln students will exhibit their contemporary fashion and textile design work in the 2007-08 Biennial Juried Exhibition at UNL's Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery through Jan. 30.

Jean L. Parsons, associate professor in the Iowa State University Department of Textiles and Clothing and co-author of "20th Century Dress in the United States" (Fairchild Publications, 2007), was the juror for the exhibition. She evaluated the 65 entries and in a blind review process, selected work based solely on the merits of the entries. This show includes 27 pieces of fashion and textile design, representing the work of five graduate and 12 undergraduate students.

The exhibition highlights the diverse areas of work in the design specialization of the UNL textiles and apparel program, said Wendy Weiss, director of Hillestad Gallery. Students will show work completed in courses ranging from freshman to graduate levels. Their talents range from creating original fabric using dye, print and paint processes to creating apparel of their own design. One student incorporated beads, duck feathers, and horse and goat hair into her work, while another student utilized recycled clothing in her garment.

Students enrolled in textiles, clothing and design courses in the past two years and students completing projects in the Undergraduate Creative Awareness and Research Experiences (UCARE) program were able to submit original design coursework or projects developed from spring 2007 to the present. Each student could enter up to four pieces. While the entries were primarily in the apparel category, students also submitted textile designs and illustrations on board and fabric, including digitally-printed, hand-painted, and screen-printed. Each type of work is represented in the exhibition.

"I enjoyed seeing the range of work, and especially the varied interpretations of inspiration sources," Parsons said. "Pieces chosen ranged from those with clean and crisp lines to those that were complexly draped forms. I was particularly drawn to the apparel designs that combined attention to the craft process with a less traditional approach to shape and use of seaming."

The Hillestad Gallery (http://textilegallery.unl.edu) is part of the Department of Textiles, Clothing and Design in the UNL College of Education and Human Sciences and is located on the second floor of the Home Economics Building, north of 35th Street and East Campus Loop. The gallery is open to the public without charge Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and weekends by special request. Call (402) 472-2911 to request weekend opening. The gallery is closed during university holidays and between shows.

There is an opening reception for the exhibition 6-8 p.m. Jan. 16, with an awards presentation at 6:30. The Friends of the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery make it possible to provide the winning students with cash awards for their work.

Following is a list by hometown of participating students.

NEBRASKA

Bellevue: Madison Simmons, senior; Danielle Smith, senior.

Blair: Abby Gross, senior.

Fremont: Michelle Higgins, junior.

Grand Island: Cashmere Boehle, senior; Natalie Moravec, senior.

Lincoln: Dan Buhrdorf, senior; Melissa Caldwell, graduate student; Katie Taylor Frisch, graduate student; Sara Harper, undergraduate; Stephanie Luna, senior; Mary Pattavina, graduate student; Erica White, graduate student.

Malcolm: Tacia Booton, graduate student.

Schuyler: Tiffany Hopkins, senior.

ELSEWHERE

Mansfield, S.D.: Lisa Kalt, senior.

Spring Green, Wis.: Cassandra Clayton, junior.