By Chris Beswetherick
Freedom of expression will now take over the walls of VU 507 — The Viking Union Gallery. Today, the annual Drawing Jam begins and the VU Gallery invites everyone to collaborate. On October 6, the third day of the installation, the gallery will host an opening reception from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. where everyone can celebrate the artwork as a group.
Usually, a gallery will hang more than one single piece of art, but to involve the campus, the VU Gallery does mount a single, enormous piece once a year. The art itself invites the audience to participate. Rather than focusing on a single artist, the VU Gallery wants to include the multitudes of art styles at Western in one place. The show calls its visitors to be self-expressive in the space and to contribute to an ever-growing, communal work of art.
“[There are] blank walls waiting for students to come into the gallery and have fun with their creativity,” VU Gallery Director Taylor Glennon said.
Glennon and her team are introducing the school to the VU Gallery with this project. Their goal for this collaborative event is to inform the campus that the gallery is a space where anyone can come to grow and learn. They hope many will come visit the gallery for this and future exhibitions.
Glennon and the gallery’s attendants have set up several pieces of large white paper which line the walls of the room. These pieces of paper are blank, but as the month progresses, more and more artists will add details until October 21. Then, the project ends and is taken down.
Those who come are encouraged to bring their own supplies if they wish, but the curators will also supply materials.
“There will be colored pencils, markers, oil pastels and crayons provided for people to use to create art on the gallery walls,” Glennon said.
Unfortunately, because of restrictions for cleaning and maintaining the gallery, the use of paint will not be permitted. Too much time passes before paint dries so it would drip onto other artwork and the floor.
The VU Gallery is always growing and looking for more patrons. This event has been a strategy to attract more audience members.
“Drawing Jam has been an annual kickoff show at the VU Gallery for several years now,” Glennon said. “It has had great success with bringing students into the gallery.”
Over the year, the gallery will curate several shows. The gallery staff hopes that the audience grows in support of their efforts to make sure that art thrives at Western.
