Shepherd University students Ashley Hoffman, Cassie Lopez and Rachel Molenda will present an art exhibit entitled "Girls Approximately" tonight at 6 p.m.

Shepherd University seniors Cassie Lopez, Rachel Molenda and Ashley Hoffman — “Girls Approximately” — will present a photography exhibit today, April 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibit will take place at “The Church”, at the corner of Church and High Streets. Hoffman and Molenda answered some questioned from The Chronicle about their work, the exhibit and their plans for after graduation.

Q: What does “Girls Approximately” mean?
AH: Girls Approximately is a reference to a Ryan Adams song that Cassie is obsessed with. We all liked the name and thought it suited us well since we are all females, but not really a part of any female stereotype.
Q: What can people expect from Girls Approximately when they attend your exhibit?
AH: People can expect to enter a large room with some of our best work on the walls. We hope that it’s a fun and positive time and a reflection of who we are. It’s professional but a little bit silly to make it personal and memorable! Oh! And good food!!!
RM: People can expect to see the culmination of our three and four years at Shepherd University. We’ve all developed and grown in our time there, and this show is meant to be a kind of last hurrah associated with the school. Our work is interesting, diverse — there’s sure to be something for everyone.
Q: How do each of your pieces differ from one anothers?
AH: Rachel focuses a lot on nature and her relationship with it. Cassie focuses on her relationship and interactions with males in her life. I focus on space and formal qualities of light. My work is always a lot darker than theirs, so I think it makes a nice balance.
RM: My work tends toward a more staged kind of image. I focus on creating a moment, whereas Cassie captures them with her candid shots. Ashley is more of an observer of her surroundings, and that’s what her images depict.
Q: How do they work together to form this one exhibit?
AH: We have all worked closely together over the past two and a half years. We go to each other for advice in life as well as art and to complain about life as well as art and to have fun in life and in art! It only made sense that we had a group show for our capstone. I know I couldn’t have done it without them.
RM: Our bodies of work are diverse, but we all have a subtle aesthetic. And though our subject matter can vary drastically, I feel our images tend to be quieter ones. This modesty of the image helps to make the show flow.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
AH: After graduation I’m going to travel a little around the United States. I will continue to work at the Shepherdstown Sweet Shop and I hope to start and get involved in community art projects and art shows. I love to curate community shows so that’s where I’m headed. Someday I’ll find an art collective where I really belong.
RM: At this point I have no set plans. I am interested in working with nonprofit organizations on documenting what they do and marketing them to other organizations for partnership or finance. I have applied to a few internships and jobs, so let’s cross our fingers!