Exhibit features print treasures from the archives

  Tuesday, September 13, 2016 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

Installation of the newest exhibit in the University Gallery at Pittsburg State University has been a little like discovering tiny treasures in the attic, according to James Oliver, interim chair of the Art Department at PSU.

“Lasting Impressions” is an exhibit featuring art prints from the university’s Special Collections and Archives. It runs through Dec. 1 in the University Gallery in Porter Hall, 202 E. Cleveland.

“I wasn’t aware that the university owned works by some of these artists,” Oliver said. “There are artists represented in this exhibit who are important figures historically in their genres.”

Among the etchings, lithographs and woodcuts that comprise the exhibit are works by artists like Marc Chagall, Käthe Kollwitz, Francisco Goya and Joan Miro.

Steve Cox, curator of Special Collections and University Archives, said the pieces chosen for “Lasting Impressions” are just a handful of artworks in the archives.

“These are works that have been collected or donated over the years and are not part of the Art Department’s collection,” Cox said. “Our collection contains student and faculty work, pieces that complement our various collections, large framed campus photographs, and art that is part of a larger collection of personal papers.”

Cox said having the pieces in the display gives them new life.

“Seeing these pieces in a gallery, with proper lighting, really emphasizes what nice works they are.” Cox said.

Oliver said that having the works in the university’s collections is valuable for students.

“It’s one thing to see an artist’s work in a course, a book or online,” Oliver said, “but there’s something very powerful about seeing their work displayed right in front of you.”

The University Gallery is open from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Admission is free. For more information, call 620-235-4302.