Every now and then, something goes right on campus in a big way. This past week, it was the exhibition of student art in the Collis Center.
Organized by the Art Club, the show matched Collis' ample space with students' paintings and sculptures, giving the artists a chance to exhibit and transforming Collis into a true home for students' artistic efforts. Last night the Art Club celebrated with a reception in the lounge.
The Art Club was the brainchild of Bissera Pentcheva '95, who initiated the process of bringing student art to Collis, via the Programming Board, on a limited budget. But all the artists helped hang the art, so the show was essentially curated by committee.
"It's good for Collis and it's good for us," said Chuck Ross '94, whose metal sculptures are especially well set-off in the lounge. "There's a lot of traffic and a lot of people seeing your work."
Although student art is routinely exhibited in the corridors of the Hopkins Center, those pieces are largely selected by the studio art faculty. The Art Club exhibit represents an opportunity for any student to show his or her work.
"I hope it will become permanent, every term a new show," Pentcheva said. She is already planning exhibits for the summer and fall.
The growing popularity of the studio art department, among majors and non-majors alike seems to have created a demand for more space to show student work.
"There's a demonstrable need for a student gallery. This show demonstrates to the administration that it would be a worthwhile investment," said John Lee, professor of studio art.
Meanwhile, it seems appropriate that a new student center should serve students' artistic needs. The Common Ground hosted student theatrical and musical performances last term, but this show inaugurates Collis with visual arts.
"It's like two worlds colliding, the new face of the art department and this wonderful new space," said participant Deborah Vogel '94.
