Hyrum Benson ‘Containers’ Exhibit at University of Maine at Presque Isle

The University of Maine at Presque Isle's Reed Art Gallery is featuring Containers by Hyrum Benson, from Monday, July 25 through Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016.

The public is invited to view the exhibition throughout the show's run and attend the Gallery Reception on Friday, Sept. 2 from 5-7 p.m., which is being held in conjunction with the First Friday Art Walk. The event will include a Gallery Talk with the artist at 5:30 p.m.

Containers features new work by Benson, a University of Maine at Presque Isle faculty member and the new Director of the Reed Art Gallery.  UMPI Community Relations Director Rachel Rice says the show focuses on ceramic vessels, many concentrating on the idea of storage and preservation. A number of the objects reference simpler times, a slower life style with an idea of conservation. Rice says this show features mostly utilitarian pots that reference historical ideology while confronting the idea of over-consumption and waste.

Benson is a ceramics artist originally from Idaho, who joined the UMPI faculty after teaching at the University of North Texas, where he also served as an Assistant Administrator in the College of Visual Arts and Design. Benson is an accomplished artist with several years of successful exhibits and shows. He has presented exhibitions in galleries from Texas and Georgia to Kansas and Idaho, and has art work in the permanent collection at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. Benson said his current ceramic work focuses on the formal elements of design, but that he is also interested in, and with, the industrial.

Benson is a graduate of the University of North Texas with his MFA in Ceramics, and Brigham Young University-Idaho with a BFA in 3D Studies, Ceramics emphasis.

“I am excited and a bit overwhelmed to be the new Reed Gallery Director,” Benson said. “I have large shoes to fill, but am really looking forward to the upcoming shows this year. We will be featuring a wide spectrum of art and I think everyone will find something that they enjoy.”

Rice says all are invited to view the show starting July 25 and to come out to First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 4 and take part in the free reception. Light refreshments will be served. Please follow gallery happenings on the Reed Gallery Facebook page.

The Reed Art Gallery is located in the Center for Innovative Learning. From July 25 to Aug. 26, the gallery is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Regular hours begin on Aug. 29: the gallery will be open Monday through Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.