By Billy Tuite —
You’ve probably seen the works of University of Wisconsin–Stout’s imaginative art students throughout the Applied Arts building and all over campus, but have you ever wondered what the art professors are capable of? The Furlong Gallery is currently giving students the opportunity to get inside the creative minds of said professors with the 2015 School of Art and Design Faculty Show.
The Faculty Show is an annual art exhibit that is held every spring in the Furlong Gallery featuring works from faculty members of Stout’s School of Art and Design. This year’s exhibit features a smaller selection of art from 14 professors, and according to Gallery director Robert Atwell, this was a deliberate change.
“We typically have everyone submit one piece, but an exhibit with 50 pieces tends to be densely packed,” Atwell said. “This smaller show is set up and displayed nicely, since it has some air between the pieces so you can consider each one.”
Despite the smaller quantity of works, the diversity and creativity on display is massive. Kari Tarr’s glitter paintings in the North Gallery are immediately eye-catching and bursting with color. On the adjacent wall, Kevin Pontuti’s large-form pigment print photographs feature beautiful composition and detail. Jason Quick took a unique approach with an elaborate documentary installation in the South Gallery that documents political prisoners from Tibet.
“I would say it’s all over the place in terms of both media and message,” Atwell said. “There’s definitely not a common theme in the show.”
Atwell encourages all students to come see the exhibit, even those who are not art majors, promising there will be “something you can find that you’ll be interested in or something that will educate you.”
“There are a lot of people who appreciate art that aren’t necessarily artists,” Atwell said. “Everybody uses computers and phones, and those were designed for an aesthetic experience by an artist or designer. People are touched by art all the time.”
The Faculty Show will be available in the Furlong Gallery until Feb. 20. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday 12 to 4 p.m.