West Liberty University’s Nutting Gallery presents the annual Art Faculty Exhibition Jan. 22 – Feb. 13, 2014. The entertaining exhibition will open with a reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 22 and the public is welcome to attend.

Amazing Dancing Twin Dogs, Bob Villamagna.

Art faculty members participating in this year’s exhibition are Sarah Davis, Brian Fencl, James Haizlett, Martyna Matusiak, Moon Jung Kang, Nancy Tirone, Lambros Tsuhlares, Robert Villamagna and Neal Warren.

“Each year the Art Faculty Exhibition features a theme and this year the art faculty selected the theme of dogs,” said Gallery Director Robert Villamagna.

“The dictionary defines dog as a domesticated carnivorous mammal that typically has a long snout, an acute sense of smell, and a barking, howling or whining voice.”

“The works in The Dog Show will cover a wide range of media including drawing, painting, mixed media, digital, construction, photography and installation. The faculty has worked their fingers to the bone in preparing for this exhibition, so it should prove to be a doggone good show.”

Dog Show #1, Martina Matusiak.

“Having a new theme for the exhibition each year does a number of things,” he added.

“It brings a freshness to the annual exhibition, it challenges the members of the art faculty, and it shows students how a diverse group of artists each approach a single problem or idea, each in their own unique way and in a variety of media.”

Plus, dogs are hugely popular and according to the American Kennel Club, every dog has a distinct personality based on its breed. The AKC counts 178 breeds of man’s best friend now available.

The Department of Visual Arts is housed in the College of Arts and Communication and is led by college dean, Dr. William Baronak. There are currently more than 275 students enrolled in programs housed in the College of Arts and Communication.

The programs within the College have enjoyed growth in student enrollment by more than 20 percent over the last five years. For complete information, visit westliberty.edu/art.

All exhibitions at the Nutting Gallery are free and open to the public. The Nutting Gallery is open 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. weekdays; evenings and weekends by arrangement.

For additional information contact Robert Villamagna at 304-336-8370 or at rvillama@westliberty.edu