The arrival of spring brings leaves to the trees, buds to the plants and UCSB’s Department of Art Honors students to the gallery. This year’s exhibition will showcase a variety of artistic practices including conceptual, two-dimensional work and sculpture.

Tonight, in conjunction with 1st Thursday, Honors will host a reception for the first part of their annual dual shows. Starting at 5 p.m., students, faculty and community members are welcome to celebrate the work of these artists and enjoy refreshments and music at Gallery 1328 in the Art Dept. Building.

UCSB’s Department of Art Honors Show, “Work It Out: Chunk 1” opened on March 31 and will run until tomorrow, April 4. This exhibition features artists C.A. Rubio, Shelby Miller, Angie Shen and Melinda Siomiak. Using “agency” as the motive for subject matter, their resulting art work is diverse and compelling.

“Work It Out: Chunk 2” opens April 14 and runs until April 18. Artists Holly Avery, Rosa Diaz, Luis Velazquez and Megan Fisher focus on visual references of life and death. Not wanting to limit the viewer’s experience to compositional elements, they present thought provoking concepts about our culture through art works.

The reception for the second show in the Honors series will take place on Thursday, April 17, and will feature local folk rock band Helo.

The Departmental Honors Program provides an environment that pushes and supports eight to 10 undergraduates each year, and these dual shows are the result of all of their intense effort. If you have some time, check out these unique, in-depth displays by some of UCSB’s most dedicated undergraduate artists. Both shows are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.

This week, art students C.A. Rudio, Shelby Miller, Angie Shen and Melinda Siomiak debuted “Chunk 1” of the annual Departmental Honors show. Tonight’s reception starts at 5 p.m. in Gallery 1328.

Photo courtesy of UCSB Department of Art Honors Program

A version of this story appeared on page 12 of Thursday, April 3, 2014’s print edition of the Daily Nexus.