Glimpses into the ACU Study Abroad Program will soon come to life in The Shore Art Gallery in the Don H. Morris Center. The new exhibit will open on Friday, entitled “Postcards”: from Abroad.
“The exhibit is a chance to experience the vistas of England and Italy through the eyes of a student, someone who is seeing these places for the first time,” said Robert Green, professor of art and design.
The purpose of the show is to feature students’ work as the they traveled from England to Italy. Every two years the ACU Art Department invites students to take part in the study abroad art show program. This past fall students experienced a unique “plein-air” painting class. Green described this painting technique as painting on location, outside in nature. Armed with acrylics and watercolors, the students were able to recreate the surrounding landscape on their international travels.
Not only were the students able to gain a deeper perspective on painting, but on society as well.
One student featured in the show is Morgan Hallmark, sophomore art major from Sasche. Hallmark said the experience was something she will never forget.
“The history, the people and the scenery is what inspired all of my work. I was trying to capture a small piece of the beauty I was seeing,” Hallmark said.
She was especially touched by the many people living in poverty.
“There were many, many beggars. I wanted to help them, but besides giving them a few euros, there was nothing I could do,” Hallmark said. “I tried to capture the sadness I felt when I saw them, the helplessness that overcame them in their everyday lives. Maybe if I noticed them, others will too.”
Green believes the display will showcase the talent of ACU art students. He also said the collection will be different from normal aesthetic art collections on campus.
“Their interest and hard work is evident in the quality of the show,” Green said, “The students worked really hard to create these works while we were overseas.”
On Nov. 11, another study abroad art show will open at the Cockrell Gallery located downtown. Rachel Brown, Study Abroad coordinator, said this show will feature photography by the art students returning from the Study Abroad Program.
“In both shows there is something for everyone,” Green said.
“Postcards”: from Abroad will run Friday through Nov. 12 in the Shore Gallery. For more information contact the ACU Art and Design Department at 674-2085.
