Public art display at Sonoma State University

The Sonoma State University Campus becomes an outdoor gallery of public art in May featuring major works from 11 graduating students in the arts.

The large-scale outdoor sculptures will be placed throughout the grounds on May 6 and will remain up until Commencement Day May 16.

Themes range from funding prison rather than education to online dating. Students used a wide variety of materials and techniques, included figurative cast bronse, welded and fabricated steel and process and community-engaged interactions.

“This pragmatic, hands-on training within the campus environment allows students the opportunity to engage with campus visitors in a public art context,” said Professor Jann Nunn, who created “Commence: Sculpture projects 2015” as part of her Public Art curriculum.

A reception for the artists will be from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 13 in the Art Building Sculpture Courtyard, followed by a tour of the installations led by Nunn and her students. The public is invited to attend.

Participating artists include James Blake, Martin Gilbertson, Briona Rachelle, Eduadro Hernandez, Jessica Levey, Victoria Helena Mihatovic, Jessica Noyes, Dino Sbardellati, Andrew Scanlon, Sean Patrick Shadduck and Michael Walton.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204. On Twitter @meg.mcconahey.