On Aug. 27, Metcalf Gallery welcomed the “Perm” Art Exhibition, a selection of Taylor University’s permanent art collection, showcasing the legacy of art created by Taylor women over the years.
The exhibition combined a diverse selection of artwork, highlighting their contributions to the university's permanent collection.
The pieces capture different aspects of the human experience. A visitor can find pieces focused on biblical, social justice, and everyday themes, Riggleman said.
With a wide range of styles of art, the “Perm” Art Exhibition offered a look at the artistic legacies of some of Taylor’s finest, featuring award-winning pieces made by its students and faculty.
The pieces were collected from Taylor’s permanent art collection, which can be found in the Boren Art Gallery, Zondervan Library, Metcalf Gallery and other areas on campus.
Approximately two-thirds of the pieces displayed in the exhibition are student artwork bought by Taylor over the years.This exhibition serves as a way to give many of the pieces new life, as some have not been on display for years, Jeremie Riggleman, assistant professor of art and Metcalf Gallery director, said.
Audrey Felger (‘08), adjunct art professor, created the piece titled “Male Nude.”
“It was a surprise,” Felger said. “I haven't seen the piece in a long, long time. I made it when I was a student, and it was purchased by the university way back then, and then it popped up in this exhibit.”
“Male Nude” was made during a time when Felger was interested in figure drawing. She said she would travel to Ball State University on the weekends and attend a community figure drawing class.
The piece is representative of her work, which is cohesive in its intimate and quiet feeling. It is not meant to be groundbreaking, but to capture a moment of beauty, Felger said.
Taylor’s permanent art collection has served as a way to appreciate and recognize the work of students and faculty. It has captured the history of the art department and demonstrated the capabilities of the students and faculty, Riggleman said.
“Perm” has been an exciting cause for many beautiful pieces that Taylor has collected over the years to be appreciated again, he added.
“We want students to know and sense and feel that their artwork is worth purchasing, and people want to live with it and look at it,” Riggleman said. “So it's not just for class, but it can live somewhere where other people can appreciate it.”
This exhibition spotlights the hard work and dedication these artists have committed to creating beautiful pieces. The collection provides people an opportunity to see the way talented women artists have contributed to Taylor’s legacy, Riggleman said.
He added that current students can be inspired that they have the chance to be a part of that legacy, too. Their work isn’t just to secure a good grade in a class, but to create and share beauty.
“It even warms my heart and makes me feel pride (in) being a part of the art department, now that I too could contribute a legacy in this way,” Ellie Kamphausen, a sophomore Metcalf Gallery assistant, said.
“Perm” Art Exhibition offers a centralized and accessible way for Taylor students, faculty, and guests to experience art. Even for those who may be unfamiliar and intimidated by art, this exhibition is a good way to experience beauty and creativity in an accessible way, Kamphausen said.
“The whole exhibit itself just showcases that people are pretty amazing,” Kamphausen said. “It is so cool that so much of this is student and faculty work. They were students, just like us, and they made these pieces that are just so beautiful.”
The “Perm” Art Exhibition is open from Aug. 27 through Oct. 10. Students, faculty and visitors are also invited to the closing reception, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 5, over Homecoming weekend.
The Taylor Art department invites everyone to come and enjoy the exhibition. The Metcalf Gallery welcomes people to check out Boren Art Gallery and Zondervan Library to see more of Taylor’s permanent art collection.
