By Megan Michler

At the University, there are opportunities for every kind of student. After all, college is about exploring new avenues and extending one’s limits.

But sometimes, because of all the chaos, students never discover the clubs and organizations offered. They can miss out on chances to hone their skills or discover uncharted territory.

One of these clubs that has been under the radar is a relatively new organization called FORM Student Gallery. FORM Student Gallery provides an outlet for up-and-coming artists on campus to showcase their work and challenge themselves to reach new creative heights.

Members have the unique opportunity of creating their own exhibit: that is, their artwork is displayed in a gallery on campus for the student body, as well as visitors, to admire. “Primarily, the objective of FORM is to keep the gallery filled all year long with original, student work,” says Christina Makrakis, director of FORM and a junior fine arts major.

“It is not for teachers, not for class work, and definitely not for outside accomplished artists.”

FORM’s mission is essentially to underscore the talent of young unknown University artists and encourage the development and maturation of their work. The gallery, Makrakis says, is the best way for these students to “show what they got-their best, their taste, their uniqueness.”

Along with the chance to have their work displayed, students receive other benefits of showing their art.

“Criticisms can be brought forward to encourage improvement, and students can learn from each other through the exhibitions,” Makrakis says.

Themes for the projects vary greatly, and members are encouraged to create “the unexpected.”

“One week, it could be a concentration of flowery paintings; the following week could be an interactive film show of cadavers!” Makrakis says.

Raven Epstein is one of those individuals who has benefited greatly from being part of FORM Student Gallery. Not only has she been able to broaden her creative horizons, but this is also Epstein’s first time having her work on exhibit. In the middle of last month, Epstein’s original artwork was displayed in FORM’s gallery.

“Putting up my own show-with the help of our director-was terrifying,” says Epstein, an English major. “I’ve never had my work displayed in such a way before, and I was so full of doubt that it wouldn’t come out right, or it would be the worst show to ever go up.”

But everything fell together. Usually exhibition pieces vary greatly: from murals to ceramics, to “interactive installations” and drawings. There is not a definite way to describe the works that have been and will be shown-each showing will be as different as the artist.

If you are interested in joining, FORM Student Gallery meets outside the gallery, room 117 in Calkins, during Common Hour every week.

No previous experience is necessary, Makrakis says. “All you need to be is interested and dedicated!”

On display until Sunday is senior Joenell Luma’s drawing installation called “Ever Ridden the 2 Train?”

Nov. 4-18: Mari Suh-“my room” with a reception on Nov. 5 from 2-5 p.m.

Nov. 18-Dec. 1: Erika McGrath- “Untitled is Still a Title” with a reception on Nov. 20 from 7-9 p.m.

Students take a closer at Epstein’s artwork in the FORM gallery.

Raven Epstein