New art exhibits arrive in MoPro

BY JACIE SELLARS Staff Writer

Two new art exhibits will be on display in the Moses-Provine galleries starting March 1. The exhibits will feature work from artists Dean Dablow and Anne Greenwood, and both exhibits will explore abstract themes.

The first floor will showcase an exhibit from Dablow titled “Everything is Abstract.” This exhibit is a series of two different bodies of work. The first body of work is a photographic series called “Art School Floors.” These photographs depict paint on classroom floors after artwork is done, demonstrating how anything can be art. The second body of work will be a series of abstract paintings on uniquely-shaped wooden panels.

Carey Roberson, gallery coordinator and associate professor of art and design, describes the exhibit as two thoughts from the same artist. “It will hopefully give people the idea that you don’t necessarily have to work with one medium to explore a train of thought,” Roberson said.

The second floor will display a collection from Greenwood entitled “Nature is a Haunted House.” This collection features detailed drawings and watercolor paintings of elements of nature, including plant and animal life. These pictures are painted on a translucent plastic material called Dura-lar. Each painting is paired with a three-dimensional work of art. According to Roberson, the exhibit is about the crossing of domestic life and wildlife. “We are surrounded by this wildlife, but we might not necessarily see it, so Greenwood is really thinking about where those two worlds intersect,” Roberson said.

In order to bring art to Ouachita, the gallery staff views the artwork ment credit by viewing the exhibits, and Robertson believes that the exhibits will also allow students to learn and grow. “We want to go beyond just providing credit,” Roberson said. “We want people to engage, to feel like there’s a spot where they can sit back and enjoy art. The work that comes through our doors gives students an opportunity to grow culturally and spiritually.” and contacts the artists. The art professors seek to find work that will benefit the campus while also creating dialogue. “It’s not always about finding pretty work,” Roberson said. “It’s about finding work that confronts us, that challenges us to look at things from different perspectives, to come together and have a conversation.”

Students can receive arts engage-

Each exhibit will have a different process for setting up the galleries. Greenwood will help arrange her exhibit, while the first-floor exhibit will be arranged by faculty and student volunteers. There are many factors to consider when setting up an exhibit. “We try to think about the gallery flow, how someone would walk through the gallery and what objects go together,” Roberson said. “We also try to pair things together that create a conversation of colors, texture and subject matter.” Overall, the goal is to provide a viewing experience that matches the space.

When it comes to analyzing the artwork, Roberston has some advice for viewers. “Come in and slow down. Pay attention to the subject matter, even if it’s something you are not accustomed to, such as abstract work,” Roberson said. “Begin to find something within the work that you find interesting or can relate to, even if it’s just a color or texture.”

Roberson also encourages viewers to read about the purpose of the work, even if it is not their favor- ite. “Art is not always a noun. It’s a verb,” Roberson said. “It’s meant to communicate something, and that’s what is important.”