Movin' art

Art on the Move puts University artists' work on display

As Janine Greco (senior-microbiology) sat in Ritenour Building waiting for a doctor, her eyes wandered around the waiting room. Usually, Greco would see other students looking around just as she was, but on this day, she was surprised when another pair of eyes stared back at her.

The eyes that stared back at Greco came from a pair of papier mache masks that are part of a project called Art on the Move.

As Greco and friend Sarah Walker (senior-psychology) sat in chairs in Ritenour Building, they said the display of papier mache masks seemed rather strange.

"I just thought it was funny to look at, being in a doctor's office," Greco said.

The program was started in 1994. Ann Shields, head of the HUB Art Galleries and Kern Exhibition Area, helped to create the program, along with the University Health Services, as an opportunity to showcase the art of students, and sometimes, professors.

This program is exactly what it sounds like -- art on the move. Pieces of art, ranging from photographs to oil paintings to masks, are placed around campus for a certain period of time and then moved to another location or replaced.

Displays are located in North and West halls, the Computer Building as well as in Ritenour Building. And the program continues to expand and look for more room.

The reason for these new displays on campus, Shields explained, is to expose student work at the university level. The exhibits also give the University a chance to support the arts and those involved, she added.

"It prepares the artists professionally, giving them a start from their home base," Shields said.

Lisa Graves' art is displayed in the Waring Hall multi-purpose room. Graves (senior-photography) said she enjoys being involved in the program and seeing her photographs displayed.

"It gives me a reason to do art and makes it all worth it," she said.

Graves and other artists are thankful for the opportunity but they are not the only ones who can benefit from this program.

Art on the Move is not only focused on art majors, Shields said. She welcomes others to take advantage of the opportunity to get involved.

Other University students are also major beneficiaries of this program, Shields said. They are given the chance to be exposed to art of different cultures and genres, she said.

"Hopefully, this program will help students develop a better appreciation toward art," Shields said.

Shields, whose appreciation for art provoked her to start this program, said she would like to see more art displayed on campus, especially student artwork.

"I would love to see art everywhere," Shields said.