The Contemporary Art Gallery opened its door for a new art exhibit on Thursday, Oct. 13.
Breson Foster/The Lion's Roar

The Contemporary Art Gallery hosts one of the biggest art exhibitions of the year. Featured were two artists hand picked by Dale Newkirk, director of CAG. 

The artists who were chosen were Samantha Burns, with a sculpture installation piece, and Aaron Collier, with abstract paintings.

CAG hosted the exhibition as part of Fanfare on Thursday, Oct. 13.

Newkirk chose Collier for the variety, creativeness and abstraction of his work.

“I had been following up on Aaron’s work and I liked the creative, almost playful way he moves between abstraction and representation in his pieces,” said Newkirk. 

Viewers who attended would agree with Newkirk’s decision about adding Collier’s abstract work to the gallery.

“Aaron’s work is not what I’m normally used to,” said senior Eric Ballard, a middle school education major. “It’s more abstract. At first glance it seems like a random splash of color, but as I look into the piece, I see an expressive rhythmic pattern.”

Collier wanted the viewers to not only enjoy the exhibition, but also to leave with an appreciation for abstract art.

“My hope is that there is an attraction and it immediately attracts the viewer,” said Collier.

Burns was chosen because of her unique style and her very fragile elements of choice.

“Samantha’s work is very delicate, and it can change the viewer’s perspective on what it can be. Her installations are works that are environmental and made for space,” said Newkirk.

Viewers took interest in Burns’ piece entitled “Tribute to Faculty Hippocampus.” This piece was a collage of glass jugs, wood, string, balloons and paper. Viewers gazed at this particular wall piece with understanding and amazement. 

“I felt anxious,” said freshmen Nathaniel Britton, an art major with a concentration in theater design. “I felt at any moment the balloon would deflate, and the glass was going to fall. It’s interesting, she did well at capturing the anxious feeling.”

Burns also enjoyed the engagement of this piece.

“I really enjoyed doing the tension balloon piece because it was something completely new for me,” said Burns. “It was a way to address the concerns of our minds and when we let things go.”

It was Collier’s uniqueness in abstract work that initially piqued the interest of student attendants.

“We try to put our biggest exhibition event in October because of fanfare,” said Newkirk. “We are also trying to push the arts forward all over campus.”  

The art exhibition had a crowd of about 30 people, a majority being students and staff. As guests walked in they were able to choose from a variety of finger foods such as cheese, crackers and fruits. Viewers and artists really enjoyed the art.

“I think the art is really beautiful, and I would recommend it to others,” said Elyse Parker, a graduate student biology major.

For more information, contact CAG director Dale Newkirk by email at [email protected].