Splashes of brightly colored paint in Chris Kahler’s abstract painting, “Viral,” express a meaning to Bethany Burton.

“The painting reminds me of atoms, molecules and strands of DNA being drawn,” said the senior elementary education major.

Burton is a member of Eugene Harrison’s art class, which visited the Faculty Art Exhibition at the Tarble Arts Center on Tuesday to learn how to look critically at works of art.

The exhibit, which features the works of art department faculty, began Oct. 20 and will continue through Jan 6.

Since 1982, faculty artwork such as sculptures, ceramics and abstract paintings have been put on display for the public.

Sally Bock, officer manager for the Tarble Arts Center, said it’s one thing to hear and know about the different pieces of artwork; it’s another thing to see them.

Bock said the exhibit gives faculty members in the art department an opportunity to showcase their talent to their students and the public.

Harrison brought his class to the exhibit to supplement his class.

“There is a format you have to follow (when critiquing art), and that is to look at the title, analyze, describe, interpret and make a judgment,” he said.

Kahler’s “Viral” interested Burton the most for her critique assignment.

Burton said abstract paintings leave the mind open to interpretation.

“I like to look at the different watercolors and the open spaces,” Burton said.

She enjoys the different paints Kahler uses, such as acrylic and watercolor.

Burton said she loves to see the process an artist goes through in creating abstract art.

“With abstract painting, the eye is not on a specific focal point,” she said.

She said other works of art tend to be concrete and limit the viewer’s interpretation and said she would incorporate art in her style of teaching in the future.

“Children need an outlook on art and how it is expressed,” Burton said.

Dorothy Bennett’s ceramic painting, “Sun Face,” sparked interest in Chassity Cawthon.

Cawthon, junior elementary education major, said she enjoys the different expressions and moods seen on the faces of the suns.

Bennett’s ceramic paintings of the sun use bright colors and detailed facial expressions to show emotion.

“I enjoy the shapes and lines the artist uses,” Cawthon said. “These are not your typical paintings.”

Some paintings in the art center did not have titles, such as Robert Horvath’s oil paintings.

Harrison said when the title of a work is given, viewers have a clue as to what the artist is trying to convey.

He said when a title is not displayed, room is left for personal interpretation.

Harrison’s class congregated in front of Horvath’s untitled painting.

Some students described it as land from outer space, while others saw it as a “volcanic raspberry.”

“That is the fun thing about art,” Harrison said. “It is your own opinion.”

Emeritus professor Bill Heyduck is featured in Tarble Arts Center faculty exhibit. Heyduck’s piece “Blue Cat with Circle Socks” was observed by a class from the Art Department Tuesday afternoon.

(more…)