ArtsGala silent auction features stunning artwork by Wright State students

“Skylights,” a silkscreen print by Amanda Griffin, who is pursuing a B.F.A. in printmaking and a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, is one of two works by Wright State students available in the silent auction at ArtsGala on April 9. (Photos by Erin Pence)

Two stunning and unique prints by Wright State University fine arts students are among the many items patrons can bid on during the popular silent auction at ArtsGala.

Participating in the auction is just one way patrons can support Wright State fine and performing art students during ArtsGala, which takes place Saturday, April 9, starting at 7 p.m. in the Creative Arts Center. Tickets can be purchased at wright.edu/artsgala.

The student artworks available in the silent auction are:

• “Skylights,” a silkscreen print by Amanda Griffin, who is pursuing a B.F.A. in printmaking and a bachelor’s degree in graphic design
• “The Party,” part of a monoprint series created by Alyssa Woosley, who is pursuing a B.F.A. in painting and printmaking

The pieces were selected for the silent auction by the ArtsGala Host Committee in the annual ArtsGala student art competition.

Griffin and Woosley made the works in a screenprinting course taught by Danielle Rante, associate professor of printmaking and drawing.

“Amanda and Alyssa did wonderful jobs in the execution of their work, exhibiting their strong foundational skills while finding their personal voice in the media,” Rante said.

One of the premier arts events in the region, ArtsGala showcases the talent of students in Wright State’s theatre, dance, motion pictures, art and music programs. Since its inception, ArtsGala has raised more than $3 million for student scholarships in the fine and performing arts.

This year, ArtsGala will feature more than 450 student performers in 13 unique performances plus nine dining experiences and six bars, a cigar tent and the silent auction.

The silent auction offers a wide assortment of exclusive travel and vacation packages, luxury gift baskets, fine dining certificates, top-quality wine and cigars, entertainment packages and of course artwork.

Bidding opens at 8 a.m. on April 9 and closes at 10 p.m. on April 10. More information about how to participate in the auction is available at wright.edu/artsgala/silent-auction.

A preview of the auction items is now available on the Silent Auction webpage. All proceeds from the silent auction support student scholarships.

“Skylights” is a silkscreen print Griffin created based on an observational drawing of the skylights in the Creative Arts Center Atrium. She divided the space into its basic shapes and colors and even tried to recreate the frost on the windows by not fully filling in the glass with color.

She decided to enter the piece in the art competition because she liked its eye-catching colors and “how the piece moved you through its space,” she said.

Griffin created the piece in the spring of 2021 when she was primarily taking remote classes and not going out much because of the pandemic. At the time, she was worried about getting COVID-19 and spreading it to family and friends.

Drawing the skylights helped her deal with the stress she was feeling.

“The skylights in the CAC are something I look at a lot,” she said. “So, they felt comforting to work on in a very stressful time.”

Having a piece selected for the ArtsGala auction is a confidence booster for Griffin.

“It’s great to know that I’m working towards pieces that people like,” she said. “There is also a sense of, yes, I can do this.”

Griffin, who is expected to graduate in the spring of 2024, hopes to work in the design field in Dayton and continue printmaking in her spare time and eventually display her artwork in a gallery.

The Party,” a one-of-a-kind monoprint created by senior Alyssa Woosley, who is pursuing a B.F.A. in painting and printmaking, is available in the silent auction at ArtsGala on April 9.

Woolsey’s “The Party” is a one-of-a-kind monotype she created using found and made materials, including torn and cut paper, fake flowers, lace doilies, cupcake liners and sushi paper.

She layered the materials in the screen-printing process, allowing different areas of ink to spread onto the print. Each layer of color was a different arrangement of these materials.

Woosley started the printing process by selecting bright colors that are not usually seen together.

“It led me to yellow, pink, orange and purple,” she said. “I didn’t have a plan just let the materials and colors I chose lead me to the ending composition.”

She entered the print into the art competition because it was one of her favorite monoprints that she made in the series.

“I’m so happy that it will be displayed at the auction for more people to see,” she said.

After graduation this spring, Woosley plans to obtain a teaching license and work as an art teacher.

“I want to continue to create and also to encourage students to explore creatively,” she said. “This program at Wright State helped me to continue on with that goal.”