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Join Cleveland Institute of Art students on Feb. 18 from 6 to 9pm to celebrate the opening of CIA’s 65th annual Student Independent Exhibition (SIE), a juried gallery show that is organized entirely by students. Watch CIA’s young rising stars mingle with serious art collectors. Come early—the art sells quickly.

SIE is a CIA tradition that dates back to 1946 but that offers fresh surprises every year. To be chosen for the SIE show is an honor for students and to win an award at the show an even greater honor. And the very act of organizing the show is always a valuable learning experience for the student committee members.

Each year, students choose nationally known contemporary artists and designers to serve as jurors for this show and spend time at CIA offering lectures and critiquing student artwork. This year’s jury comprises three nationally recognized artists, two of whom are CIA graduates: New York-based illustrator Yuko Shimizu, Pittsburgh-based multidisciplinary performance artist Ben Kinsley ’05, and Cleveland-based ceramic sculptor Kristen Cliffel ’90.

SIE 65 will be on view in CIA’s Reinberger Galleries at 11141 East Boulevard from Feb. 18 to March 26, 2011. The opening reception and gallery show are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, with evening hours until 9pm on Fridays.