“DONUTS”: This work by Kate Taussig is part of “Visual Arts Student Exhibition,” on view at The Gallery at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor through May 11. The exhibit showcases 40 works by 23 student artists from the college’s visual and graphic arts programs.

Creativity is in bloom at The Gallery at Mercer County Community College (MCCC) as art students showcase their talents at this year’s “Visual Arts Student Exhibition” through May 11. The show is free and open to the public.

The Gallery is located on the second floor of MCCC’s Communications Building on the West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road. An opening reception is set for Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m.

The exhibit includes 40 works by 23 student artists from the college’s visual and graphic arts programs including fine arts, advertising and graphic design, digital arts, photography, and sculpture.

“From an academic point of view, the ‘Visual Arts Student Exhibition’ is the most noteworthy show of the season,” said MCCC Gallery Director Lucas Kelly. “It provides an opportunity for students to showcase their work — many for the first time — and to document their creativity and initiatives outside the safety of the classroom.”

Kelly pointed out that the pandemic’s prolonged social effects have made this year’s student exhibition a particularly important moment for students in all the visual arts programs at Mercer County Community College.

“This year’s students made the brave move to exhibit their work publicly,” said Kelly. “Many of these works have a clear expression of the emotional impact of the pandemic.”

Kelly further explained that for students, a major step in becoming a visual arts professional is in developing the confidence to share their work with the public.

“To celebrate this moment with our students is an honor,” he said.

Gallery Hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

For information, visit mccc.edu/gallery.