Students, faculty, alumni and members of the community gathered at the Student Health and Counseling Center (SHCC) for the opening reception of the fourth annual “Art 4 Health” event.
The theme that pervades each of the 105 artworks in this year’s exhibit is “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Spirit.”
Of the 41 artists participating in this exhibit, which took place Friday Oct. 15, 66 percent are currently enrolled students, while the rest are faculty and alumni. Each artist used different forms of media to convey the theme, ranging from acrylic on canvas to photography.
“All artworks in this exhibit hold so much expression,” said Gail Pakalns-Naruo, director of counseling and psychological services at the SHCC. “And that expression has a relation to healing and well-being.”
The artworks line the walls of the SHCC West and East buildings, and are placed in areas surrounding sitting rooms, next to doctors’ offices, in lobbies and other highly visible areas.
Upon entering the exhibit from the West building, Eric Leonard Jones’ canvases dominated one of the main corridors at the start of the exhibit. Adjudicator Brandon Strathmann commented extensively on one of his pieces entitled “It Can’t Be Precious” and explained the intricacies and technique present in that particular work.
“Most of the artworks in this event can be seen as autobiographical or semi-autobiographical. But prevalent in all the works is a sort of psychological aspect,” said Strathmann, who is also a assistant professor of entertainment art and animation. “In Jones’ work you can’t help but note the quick brush strokes and how his technique creates raw emotion.”
Many of the artists had multiple works; some were individual pieces while others connected to represent a series. Brittany Relf, a 22-year-old entertainment art major, submitted a three-part series entitled “Mother Nature.” Two of her works were large canvas paintings that depicted trees shaped as human beings. Another work built off the other two, but was created using acrylic on cloth, and hung using a bamboo rod.
“My work shows a connection between nature and humans. I use our vulnerability towards nature by showing human pain and I do this by showing nature and people as one,” Relf said. “This is the easiest way I can think of to show the connection between the two and to promote understanding.”
The exhibit was not only created to promote the arts and awareness for the SHCC, but it was also a juried event. Along with Strathmann, there were five other jurors who worked on deciding which artists would win “Best in Show” in three categories, students, faculty and alumni.
In addition to award certificates, student artists competed to win $200 scholarships and alumni artists competed to win an exhibition space in the Titan Student Union from January to April.
The winners were announced during the reception. Natalie Salim and Shauday Deeble both tied for the student awards and both received scholarships. The alumni winner was Lauren Gallegos and the faculty winner was Raven Lauren Mansen.
Artists also had the option of putting their works up for auction. If a work is purchased, the artist receives 60 percent of the bid, while the rest of the money goes into funding the exhibit for the entire year.
“The whole event is a fun way to give artists more of an opportunity to show of their work,” Relf said. “It’s also interesting putting health and art together, which is an unlikely pairing.”
The Arts Inter-Club Council was also present at this year’s event. Set up on the lawn across from the SHCC building were the Ceramics, Hot Glass and Pencil Mileage Club, along with the Society of Museum Associates. There were also live musical performances by the Classical Guitar Club, Phi Mu Sinfonia, Sigma Alpha Iota and the Theatre Professionals of Tomorrow.
“Art 4 Health” will continue until the end of July 2011. Friday’s reception was the only time that the exhibit opened its doors to the general public, but those who are interested may contact the SHCC and set up an appointment for a special viewing.
Originally published in the Daily Titan on October 18, 2010.
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