 "Photo: Terence Rushin")
The University of West Georgia proudly houses three different art galleries, all of which are located in the Humanities Building.
The first floor Bobick Gallery features professional artists from local, regional and international backgrounds. These exhibitions are typically scheduled up to one year in advance.
The gallery located on the second floor is for the utilization of UWG students. Senior art majors have priority with exhibitions, although it is available to all students. Students using the second floor gallery must leave a $100 damage and key deposit, sign a contract and are responsible for having the gallery in good condition for the next artist. Most art students using the gallery leave it in good shape, but occasionally, they don’t do so well. This inconveniences the following artists and may cause stress.
The Atrium Gallery displays the Bayeux Tapestry. Once a year, the galleries are completely sanded, resurfaced and painted.
All galleries are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are closed during installation and school holidays. They are free and are open to the public.
Stephanie Smith, the gallery coordinator, is responsible for selecting the featured artists. The art department views the various galleries as a teaching tool for the faculty and students. The goal is to present students with a variety of work that can apply to the many different disciplines that UWG offers, including sculpture, photography, graphic design, painting and art history. Once a week, students have thesis exhibitions and professional exhibitions are usually once a month.
Artists featured in the galleries receive some financial assistance to help with the shipping and transport costs. In return, the featured artist is asked to have a talk and interact with UWG students.
Any artist interested in displaying their artwork in one of the galleries should submit a resume, artist statement and 15 to 20 images on CD for consideration.
Smith encourages students and faculty to visit the galleries.
“We usually have good attendance at the opening receptions, approximately 50 to 100 people,” said Smith. “During the week many students and faculty come into the gallery on their way to and from class. Professors often bring their classes to the gallery to discuss the work.”
The art department also organizes the Juried Student Exhibition, an annual competition open to all students, in which an outside juror, who is a professional in the art field, selects work. Every other year, there is an Art Faculty Exhibition and an Alumni exhibition.
Some students choose to sell their featured artwork.
“The work is usually for sale, but we aren’t a commercial gallery and our focus is educational, [not to promote] sales,” said Smith. “A sale is always a bonus, but is rare.”
Smith also organizes the “Good Things Come in Small Packages” holiday show and sale each year.
“All the work is very small and reasonably priced,” said Smith. “This is open to all students, faculty staff, alumni and the community.”
Most gallery sales occur during the Juried Student Show exhibition and the “Good Things Come in Small Packages” show.
Smith puts a large amount of time and effort into helping students display their artwork.
“In the Bobick Gallery, my gallery assistant and I hang and install all the art,” said Smith. “We prep the gallery each show, which includes patching holes, sanding and painting. Some shows take up to 16 hours to prepare. We also write press releases, design postcards, posters and advertise on Facebook.”
Artists interested in displaying their work in the Bobick Gallery should contact Stephanie Smith. For the second floor gallery, artists should contact Kevin Shunn for future openings.
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