Faculty members showcase art for students, community

More than 30 IU faculty members at the School of Fine Arts exhibited their work Friday at the Grunwald Gallery of Art.

The work engaged both students and community members in SOFA’s emerging elements.

The Faculty Exhibition included an eclectic mix of mediums to represent the 10 areas of studio art the school offers, from hard ceramics to digital art.

“To show work amongst other faculty and let students see what we create, we don’t always get a chance to talk to our students in this way,” said Chris Dacre, assistant professor of printmaking.

The opening marks the first time the Grunwald Gallery has put on the faculty show, which premieres every three years.

“So many people came out just through word of mouth,” Dacre said.

The reception was packed, and viewers enjoyed free beer and food as they spoke to faculty members about their work.

Dacre showed a large sculpture, which was self-described as a critique of the Cold War, to serious observers in the informal gallery.

SOFA will also be host to upcoming noon talks and artist lectures to give enthusiasts another chance to hear creators describe their work. Dates for the lectures have yet to be set.

Dave Rowe, who participated in the Faculty Exhibition for the first time, talked about the special interaction between faculty members and attendees that night.

“It’s interesting to watch people examine your work,” Rowe said while viewers looked at his sculpture of wood, nails, paint and glue. “People will look behind it and over it.”

Many students said they appreciated the work their professors put into their pieces.

“The gallery came together great,” said graduate student Kristy Hughes, who also worked behind the scenes to put the exhibit together. “It took a lot of work and a lot of great artists.”

The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, Feb. 11 and is free to the public. Students are encouraged to drop in any time during the gallery’s hours, which are noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The exhibit will also be accompanied by noon talks and artist lectures that will be scheduled throughout the semester.

Exhibiting artists include tenured and emeritus faculty, as well as visiting faculty members Dacre, Danielle Head, Ian Meares, Jennie Mynhier and Chris Rothermel. Many of the artists have been exhibited nationally and internationally in recent years.
 
“It’s important that we show students what we do in the field,” said Rowe.

SOFA Chairman Paul Brown agreed the show is important to display the school’s talent.

“This exhibit is an important opportunity for the faculty in the School of Fine Arts to show their work to the University and off-campus communities,” he said.

“This exhibit allows our students, the public and local community to view the innovative work created by our talented faculty artists and learn more about the new developments being undertaken in each medium.”