PSU galleries: something for everyone

The University Gallery and the Harry Krug Gallery in Pittsburg State University’s Porter Hall provide opportunities not only for students, the campus and the community, but also for talented artists from across the country, according to Gallery Director Stephanie “Portico” Bowman.

For students, the rest of the campus and visitors throughout the region, the galleries offer an opportunity to see a diverse selection of art from a wide array of artists. Bowman said the Art Department's goal each year is to select artists whose work includes every medium the PSU Art Department faculty members teach. That ensures not only a variety of exhibits for gallery visitors, but also that students will see work that is related to the classes they are taking.

For the artists, especially those Bowman calls “young, emerging artists,” the PSU galleries are an opportunity to exhibit their work in a respected gallery on a university campus.

Bowman said that lots of hard work is paying off for the galleries.

“I can see the shows getting better and better,” Bowman said.

A strong Web presence is one of the things helping the galleries attract increasingly better shows, according to Bowman, because artists like the fact that their work can be seen far beyond the gallery confines. It also helps, Bowman said, when an artist has had a good experience exhibiting at PSU because they tell other artists.

In addition to providing exhibit opportunities for artists from afar, the PSU galleries also host faculty, student and community shows.

“I believe quite strongly there should be a strong community connection (to the galleries),” Bowman said.

That community connection has been reinforced through activities such as family art nights. The public is also invited to lectures and receptions for visiting artists whose shows are opening in the galleries. The interaction with the artists is especially helpful for PSU students, Bowman said.

“When students get to talk to the visiting artists, they see them as real people,” Bowman said.

Bowman said the artists are chosen by the Art Department faculty, who vote on proposals that the artists submit. Bowman said the faculty spend a great deal of time reviewing and discussing the work to be shown. The deadline for artists to submit proposals for exhibits is Feb. 1 each year. Budget restrictions are great, she said, which means that artists must often cover much of their own costs.

“The Student Fee Council has been very supportive,” Bowman said. She would like, however, to “build a firm base of support” to bring in the best available art. That goal, like the planning of shows for coming years, takes a long-range vision.

Currently showing in the University Gallery is “Dormant Thoughts,” a sculptural installation by artist Jan-Ru Wan from Chapel Hill, N.C. That exhibit runs through Nov. 27. “Walking on Water,” an international juried print exhibition organized by Deb Fisher of SUNY Brockport in New York, runs through Nov. 10.

The University Gallery is open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Krug Gallery is open 8 a.m. until 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Fridays.        For more information on the PSU galleries, contact Bowman at 620-235-4305, sbowman@pittstate.edu, or visit the Web site at www.pittstate.edu/art/gallery.html.

---Pitt State--