Senior art students at Sacramento State will give the campus community one final view of their best art pieces throughout campus on Friday in the annual Catch the Art Ball event.

The Art Ball began in 1994 and is intended to honor bachelor degree and master degree graduates’ work and to commend the art department for committing its time to help Sac State students prevail as artists.

The exhibition is free and will run from 5 to 9 p.m.

“It is always a great opportunity to see what the next generation of artists is up to in their studios,” said Robert Ortbal, faculty exhibition co-coordinator. “This exhibition is like several open studios – an art tour rolled into a one-stop exhibition.”

Catherine Turrill, assistant chair of the art department, said the Art Ball is an opportunity for Sac State to showcase what the art department has to offer the community.

“By attending the Art Ball, people outside can learn about the art program, which is a big part of Sac State,” Turrill said. “We are hoping to bring more students to Sac State by getting people interested and excited about what the art program has to offer.”

The exhibits at the Art Ball are chosen collaboratively by the students and professors, Turrill said, and are meant to exhibit the students’ strongest artwork.

The event took more than two months to prepare but would not have been possible without the support of several Sac State organizations.

These organizations include Associated Students Inc., art students, the art department and the Art Chapter of the Alumni Association, an organization that supports the art department.

Patricia Mills, artist and secretary treasurer for the Art Chapter, said the Art Chapter has been working diligently to prepare for the exhibition.

“The organization has contributed to the exhibition by purchasing food, releasing publicity and other background work done in conjunction with faculty,” Mills said.

The event, she said, is important because it brings all the students and faculty together for a day before the graduating art students leave Sac State.

“The Art Ball is a smashing celebration of the faculty and students to honor their achievements in a celebration held at the end of the school year,” Mills said. “It is needed because everyone worked so hard.”

Kathyrn Luna, senior studio art major and co-curator of the event, said she is eager to hear the responses from the public at the Art Ball event regarding the art in each exhibition.

“It gives art students the chance to watch or hear the public’s reaction when they view students’ work,” she said.

Luna said she is happy to conclude her time at Sac State by celebrating with her department.

“Being part of the senior show and the Art Ball will give me a sense of relief,” she said. “The Art Ball is a gateway for students to show their work.”

JohnSaelee can be reached at [email protected]