The Department of Art and Design featured a collection of artwork from the department archives in a Homecoming art sale for the second year in a row.

Summer Walters, student success manager for the art and design department said the department expanded the sale this year as it was well received during last year’s homecoming. The exhibit showcased pieces dating back to the 1950s.

“I think it’s a fun way to bring alumni back and get everybody excited about looking at the vintage art and seeing the quality of work that has continued in the department for 70-plus years,” Walters said.

Walters said with small funding the department finds creative ways to fundraise, such as the homecoming exhibit. The money earned from the sale went toward completing recent renovations to the building.

“We are rich in art, so we decided to kind of look back at our archives and share that work,” Walters said. “We wanted others to be able to get it, enjoy it, frame it, take good care of it and enjoy it in their homes.”

Students had the opportunity to get involved in the sale by helping design advertisements, set up the pieces and work during the sale. 

“There’s something for everybody,” Westin Brown, senior and graphic design/advertising major from Fort Worth said. “Whether they want to look at art, or they want to talk about art, or they want to just come buy a sticker.”

Current students and alumni created most of the artwork included in the exhibit.

“These are all originals, but they’re student work so they’re affordable,” Walters said, “It’s just a really fun, cool way to have something unique in your home or office.”

By renovating the building and putting on more art shows, both Walters and Brown are hopeful of increasing engagement with the artwork and the department itself.

“While the art is beautiful, I think it only shows so much of kind of the spirit that we have,” Brown said. “I feel like sometimes we’re tucked away in this little corner, so I hope that everyone comes next year to see what we offer.”