Old Fine Arts banners replaced with student's designs

When the faded banners on the exterior of SUNY Oneonta's Fine Arts building were removed at the end of the spring semester, they were replaced with brand new ones designed by an art major from Colonie, NY.

The college selected Briela Tollisen's banners through a competitive process developed by Facilities and the Art Department. The banner replacement project was an assignment for Tollisen's Advanced Graphic Design class, and the experience mimicked one of a professional artist responding to a call for proposals for a public work.

Specifications for the banners were announced to students in October before a half dozen designs were selected for further consideration. The field was then narrowed to three.

Finalists presented their work, from vision to production, to the college in November. After thoughtful discussion of the merits of each set of banners, the college settled on Tollisen's designs. ICG believes that each is a well-executed work that could stand on its own. As a series, the banners present a wide range of aesthetics that showcase the creativity that SUNY Oneonta students possess.