Gardner-Webb School of Performing and Visual Arts Hosts Annual Faculty Art Show

Display Remains Open Through March 31

Written by: Michael Harvey, ’21, public relations major

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb University School of Performing and Visual Arts presents its annual Faculty Art Show in the Ali Pouryousefi Memorial Art Gallery in Tucker Student Center through March 31. The annual event showcases the new works created by several faculty members throughout the University.

According to Dr. Nancy Bottoms, professor emerita of English and art and Director of the Ali Pouryousefi Memorial Gallery, “This event is important for the arts program, because while art faculty research, write, and present papers in the same manner as faculty in other disciplines do, art faculty also develop new skills as they grow in their understanding of how the of role art plays in human lives.”

While showcasing the academic and creative growth of the faculty, the show challenges the University community to think in new ways about art as well as provides opportunities for conversations about the ways that art helps people see the world.

Faculty participating are Professor Doug Knotts, Assistant Professor Paula Casper, Bottoms, Gary Freeman and Professor Susan Bell of the Department of Visual Arts; Associate Professor Andrew Rich of the Department of Theatre Arts; and Michelle Moser and Dr. Lisa Luedeman from the Department of Communication & New Media.

The show also gives more exposure to the Department of Visual Arts. “To understand why the faculty art show is an important event, you must understand that the purpose of the Ali Pouryousefi Memorial Gallery is to showcase art for the University community,” explained April Shauf of the Department of Visual Arts and the Department of Theatre Arts. “Often this art is the work of someone outside of the University community, but such as with this show, we also like to highlight the work of those inside the University. Every year, senior art majors must present their artwork in order to graduate.”

Shauf concluded, “The gallery administrators work to host a variety of artists, topics, styles, genres and mediums. They put a lot of thought into what exhibits will be included in each year’s schedule.”

The Faculty Art Show is free to attend, easily accessible and open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and 1 to 9 p.m. on Sunday. All guests are required to wear masks and practice safe distancing measures while in the gallery. For more information regarding the 2021 Faculty Art Show or to ask specific questions regarding the show and/or the arts program at Gardner-Webb, contact Shauf at [email protected].

Located in the North Carolina foothills, Gardner-Webb University is a private, Christian, liberal arts university. Gardner-Webb emphasizes a strong student-centered experience and rigorous academics to prepare students to become effective leaders within the global community. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.