FAIRBANKS — It’s been nine years since the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has sponsored an exhibition for undergraduate artists.

Gallery director Mike Nakoneczny is revamping the show to help aspiring artists get a taste of the professional world and to showcase some of the community’s most hidden talent.

“It’s a unique opportunity to view pieces by highly motivated and hard working students whose art wouldn’t normally be shown in a formal setting,” Nakoneczny said. “The exhibition is a highly varied and provides an interesting opportunity to view exceptional student art.” Nine different mediums will be on display through Friday including works of printmaking, ceramics, metalsmithing and painting from more than 25 students.

Many of his students have had their work on display in other shows around town but this is the first time in nearly a decade a show will entirely feature the work of undergraduates.

Nakoneczny said his students did much more than create art in a vacuum. Students both presented and curated the show, something he said is an important part of learning the professional side of being an artist.

“There is a lot of work at both ends of any show and it’s important our artists get a chance to experience that,” he said. From hanging the work precisely, to adjusting lighting, advertising for the show and planning a menu for the opening night, paying attention to specific details is an underlying theme to the entire project. But the meticulous planning paid off for the students who saw more than 50 community members at opening night.

“I think the reaction of our students was priceless,” he said. “I think it both surprised some and excited some and hopefully inspired a few others.”

The painting professor said he plans to make this an annual event for his students and for the community.

“Not many programs give undergraduates a chance to show their work like we do. It’s a pretty strenuous and rigorous program,” he said. “But the arts community has been very supportive of these emerging artists.”

Contact features writer Rebecca George at 459-7504.

If you go

What: University of Alaska’s Undergraduate Art Exhibition

When: Through Oct. 30, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday — Thursday, 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Friday

Where: University Art Gallery, located in the Fine Arts Complex, near the Davis Concert Hall