Fall has arrived and so has the crisp, fresh air that comes with the season. Students can also take in some fresh art by stopping by Stotler Lounge on Tuesday for a “Breath of Art,” put on by the Union Arts Council.
“The goal of Breath of Art is to feature undergraduate student art work on campus and expose it to students who may not be directly involved with the arts on campus,” event co-chair Samantha Mack said.
The Union Arts Council is an organization that works to promote the arts on campus.
“We are trying to provide an outlet for those that otherwise wouldn’t experience different forms of art on campus,” Union Arts Council President Mary Karl said.
She said Breath of Art is the first of its kind, and has the potential to be a semiannual gathering.
“We are thinking about making this something that would happen every semester,” Karl said. “There is so much art that goes on, but not everyone gets to experience the visual art.”
According the event’s Facebook page, visitors to the show will vote on winning art pieces. Chosen artists will receive gift cards as a prize.
In addition, representatives of Chancellor Brady Deaton will be scouting for art to displayed in the Chancellor’s Residence on the Quad. Student work from the show might be selected.
Junior Emily Armstrong is one of the show’s participants.
“My pieces in the show are an oil painting, a graphite drawing and a print from a copper plate etching,” Armstrong said. “All three pieces involve the idea of constructions of femininity.”
Another participant in the show, senior Greg Orloff, will be showing a found assemblage sculpture at the event.
“I normally start out by simply looking at the found objects I have picked up from local junk stores, garage sales and even dumpsters,” Orloff said. “The final step is to assign meaning to the piece. What, if anything, does it say about society, culture, pop culture, personal experiences, politics, et cetera?”
Both artists said students should come out and support the show.
“I think it is important for students to support each other,” Armstrong said. “Coming to the show shows camaraderie and love of the community. Plus it’s always a cultural experience on some level.”
Orloff said the show is also a way for people to promote their interest in the arts.
“It is great knowing that people are interested in the arts, on any level, especially fellow students here at MU,” he said.
In the end, Karl said the Union Arts Council wants to keep working on its overall goal — promoting the arts on campus.
“Our goal is to get artists to know about other artists outside of their comfort zone, because the collaboration of art is ideal to enhancing creativity across campus,” Karl said.
The Breath of Art exhibit will show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 24 and 25 in Stotler Lounge in Memorial Union.
