The Community College of Rhode Island’s Art, Art History & Design Department is hosting its annual Faculty Exhibition from now through Feb. 28 at the Knight Campus Art Gallery.

The Faculty Exhibition is an opportunity for faculty members within the department to exhibit their work publicly. The exhibition features a variety of media, from painting and sculpting to animation and ceramics.

The gallery is open to the public Mondays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

“This exhibition is a testament to the talent and wide range of interests among the faculty,” said Dan O’Neill, assistant art professor and Knight Campus art gallery director.

Among the works on display are a drawing by adjunct professor Dennis Delomba, titled, “Alight,” using graphite – or woodless – pencils on BFK Rives paper, an absorbent surface woven entirely out of cotton and commonly used in printmaking. Delomba said the exhibit gives faculty members a chance to display their work, network with colleagues and showcase a detailed finished product to students currently in the process of creating their own projects, which can be beneficial to their progress.

“A show like this provides students with context for all the things we are saying day by day by day in the classroom,” Delomba said. “They can see their way down the road and see there’s an end to that road. Sometimes it’s good to begin with the end in mind.”

Abstract displays include adjunct professor James Morrill’s sculpture, “Greenie: A Crown of Thorns,” made entirely of plastic bottles, thread and drywall screens; and a detailed porcelain vase by department chair Mazin Adam. The exhibit also features a series of editorial digital illustrations by adjunct Ryan Maguire, and adjunct Mara Trachtenberg’s stop-motion animation film, “The Futility of Flight.”

“It’s important for students to see that we are makers in the department and that there are a lot of hours that go into what you do as an artist,” said visual studies professor Natalie Coletta, whose oil painting, “Land’s End, Provincetown, MA,” is on display at the gallery.

“This space is a laboratory of sorts. This is where we have our student exhibitions. This is where we see a lot of what’s current. This exhibit brings us together and gives us a chance to see each other’s work and have a healthy connection through our work.”

“In addition to be exposed to a variety works of art, it's an opportunity for students to also get to know professors through their expressions,” added adjunct professor Susan Fossati.

CCRI is at the forefront of improving the ways community college students are prepared to advance their education and career prospects. Last May, the college achieved its highest two- and three-year graduation rates in more than 20 years and awarded more credentials than ever before. The college expects to have the highest three-year graduation rate of any community college in New England by 2021.

For more information, visit ccri.edu.