Senior John Oxnard Exhibits 'a gift of Grace'

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2009) - Throughout the year the University of Kentucky Department of Art presents weeklong solo exhibits from its senior class. The last week of November John "Jake" Oxnard, a native of Bardstown, Ky., will present his Bachelor of Fine Arts Solo Show at the university's Barnhart Gallery. Oxnard's solo art exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will showcase his work over the final two years of his collegiate career at UK.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts Solo Show "a gift of Grace" features Oxnard's work with materials that he says contain integrity. The show consists of mixed media pieces that combine steel fabrications, casting in bronze, aluminum and iron, along with high-fired ceramics, wood and woodcarvings, and found objects. His artwork ranges from pedestal pieces to larger outdoor pieces. "a gift of Grace" runs from Nov. 23-27, at the Barnhart Gallery, Room 206 Reynolds Building Number 1. A closing reception is scheduled for the show from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 27.  

Oxnard's introduction to UK didn't start as most do. Jerry Masse, a former adjunct professor in foundations, realized Oxnard was not even enrolled in his beginning three-dimensional visual exploration course, but showed great dedication. With Masse's encouragement, Oxnard went on to become a full-time student and receive a grade in the course he audited with such diligence.

During his studies at UK, Oxnard became enthralled with sculpture. Since finding his medium of choice, his work has developed by leaps and bounds.

"I constantly challenge myself to understand the many processes of sculpture," says the student artist, who has also served as an assistant to art faculty in ceramics and woodshop.

Oxnard has shown his work locally in group exhibitions and regionally at arts and craft fairs. In 2008, the student artist was selected to install a large-scale sculpture on the UK campus. His work, "Unified," can be seen between the Fine Arts Building and Maxwell Place. In 2009, Oxnard was the recipient of a UK undergraduate research grant funding the design and construction of a ceramic kiln that fires with waste vegetable oil. Oxnard worked with ceramics faculty Hunter Stamps and Bobby Scroggins on the research project.

For more information on John "Jake" Oxnard's exhibit or his work, contact Oxnard by e-mail at john.oxnard@uky.edu.