At The Ohio State University, an exhibition nods to the creative spirit thriving within the ranks of its staff and auxiliary faculty, a tradition that underscores the institution's commitment to celebrating artistic expression beyond the lecture halls. According to OSU News, Merijn van der Heijden, at the helm of Urban Arts Space since 2018, speaks to the legacy of the annual Department of Art Auxiliary Faculty and Staff Exhibition, a project initiated by a previous director.
This year's collection on display at the Hopkins Hall Gallery, showcases the artwork of 14 artists, each connected to the art department in their professional capacities but seldom having the privilege to exhibit their own creative labors. The exhibition ranges in expression, material, and methodology as it invites the public gaze through April 25. The Gallery itself is merely one outpost for Urban Arts Space, which extends its reach into downtown Columbus via the historic Lazarus building.
Among the participants is Kate Durham, Urban Arts Space's administrative assistant, who makes her debut this year with "under ohio stars," a quilt-style cyanotype collage that interweaves coffee, sodium borate, twine, clothespins, and nails. Echoing the philosophy underpinning the collection, Durham asserts, "It's important for artists who are more established in their careers to not only have the opportunity to show their work but to create space for a dialogue with emerging artists." According to OSU News, Van der Heijden concurs, recognizing the immeasurable value these exhibitions offer to student artists as they witness the potential longevity and evolution of an artistic career.
The embrace of art created by those who are often behind the scenes in education affirms OSU's celebration of the breadth of talent within its own community. It signals to staff members that their artistic endeavors resonate beyond the administrative tasks, which occupy much of their time. Visitors to the exhibition may find themselves wandering amidst a myriad of inspirations and engaged in an unspoken dialogue between the established and the nascent, a dialogue that extends well beyond the white walls of Hopkins Hall Gallery. Durham's statement was obtained by the Ohio State University, "It’s important for artists who are more established in their careers to not only have the opportunity to show their work but to create space for a dialogue with emerging artists."
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