The exhibit is on a Friday, the last official day of the semester, in the big auditorium of the art building. They'd set up a maze of cream-colored screens, like office cubicles, and everyone gets their wall with clip-on lamps above each display bathing it in pure, bright white light. At first, I'm a little overwhelmed by it all. I walk through the displays of the other photography classes like I haven't already seen it all less than an hour ago when I came in to set up my installation. Now, with people crowded everywhere, browsing and chattering and nibbling on canapés off cheap paper plates, it all looks completely different.
As I pass by a refreshments table, I find myself wishing they had something stronger than store-brand grape juice. My insides are in a knot and the very thought of eating anything makes me queasy.
