by Sharon Rosse Creativity and talent abound in the Capital City Arts Initiative’s "Graphics Extraordinaire 2024" exhibition that presents graphic design work by seven Western Nevada College students. The free exhibit is open to the public now through December 5, 2024 in the Community Development Building (the Brick), 108 E Proctor Street, Carson City. The Brick is open to the public, Monday through Friday, 8am - noon, 1-4pm. The exhibition video tour will be online soon at ccainv.org. Graphics Extraordinaire 2024 shows posters by graphics students from WNC’s Carson City campus. Participating students include Will Acuavera, Analisa Bates, Kaitlyn Insell, Kennadee Irving, Amy Rivinius, MJ Vinson, and Madeline Wilson. Their professor, Jayna Conkey, said, “It’s rewarding to be a teacher when the students respond with mature and exciting work. The students’ creativity was exceptional and each hit a high mark.” Conkey described her assignments: “The Caslon and Bodoni posters are from a typography assignment given in an intermediate graphic design class (GRC 210 – Type 1). The purpose of this project was to expand creative typography and design approaches while showcasing the history of a typeface. Every font (typeface) on any given computer was designed by someone – probably hundreds of years ago. For this assignment, students were required to choose a typeface then research its history. Next, they created a poster that had to include a biography and image of the type designer as well as a dynamic display of the typeface’s elements (uppercase, lowercase, numerals, glyphs and punctuation). “The Massimo Vignelli posters were assigned in an advanced graphic design class (GRC 220 – Graphic Design 1). As a tribute to some of the most noted designers in the graphic design field, the students were asked to create a poster showcasing a famous graphic designer. They were required to research designers and, after choosing one, create a poster reflecting the designer’s style – without simply copying their work. While researching, they had to ask themselves what characteristics made that designer’s work so unique – what was their ‘claim to fame?’ An understanding of these ideas helped them create visually interesting designs, echoing the work of Vignelli.” The infographic designs on Color Theory, The Origins of the Coffee Bean and the Chicken Coop Checklist were designed and drawn by students using Illustration software. Students were required to create and then draw their own graphics (they were not allowed to use clip art). Sharon Rosse, CCAI Executive Director, said “The Initiative is delighted to present this excellent work — these were demanding assignments. Jayna Conkey’s lessons challenged the students and they definitely rose to the occasion.” This show is another in CCAI’s ongoing series of student exhibitions in the Brick. The Capital City Arts Initiative is an artist-centered nonprofit organization committed to community engagement in contemporary visual arts through exhibitions, arts education programs, illustrated talks, artist residencies, and online activities. The Initiative is funded by the John and Grace Nauman Foundation, Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, Kaplan Family Charitable Fund, Southwest Gas Corporation Foundation, Steele & Associates LLC, and CCAI sponsors and members. For additional information, please visit CCAI’s website at www.ccainv.org.