Have you ever looked at a piece of art and thought, “What in the world is that supposed to be?” So often we toss things we don’t understand to the side without giving others’ creations a second thought.
This Friday, Nov. 13, students, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to appreciate the work of their peers at the inaugural Painters Guild sale, located in the Student Union Building hallway from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There, people will have the opportunity to purchase cards, original paintings, crafts and other works of art.
Customers will see different kinds of art that can be perceived differently. For instance, to some, hands are just hands—they get dirty, they help you pick up things and they make texting possible. But to Ragan Pendley, junior art major with an emphasis in drawing and secondary in painting, hands are something more.
“You can tell a lot about someone and their personal story just by their hands—the way they’re being held, if they have cuts or scrapes, or even how worn or weathered they look,” Pendley said. “I love drawing hands because it gives me the opportunity to create expression while also being able to tell a story through my art.”
Although Pendley finds herself drawing and creating artwork often for classes, she has valued the opportunity to help coordinate the sale along with Karis Kontilis. Pendley views her work for the sale as a way to relax. She has the freedom to create what she enjoys and doesn’t have to worry about following the requirements of an assignment or the pressure of receiving a grade, she said.
Some are selling their work for the first time, but this is not the case for Sydney Rolfe, junior art major with emphasis in art therapy. “Love from MO” is the name of Rolfe’s Facebook page where she sells Christmas-themed pieces and state paintings.
“I’m excited to have people see my paintings in person and not just on my Facebook and Instagram,” she said.
This sale provides art students with the chance to have their work viewed by a wide variety of people, especially Union students.
“It will also help others appreciate what we do,” Pendley said.
Thirty percent of the profit will go toward the Painters Guild fund, which will help fund field trips and other events in the future.
Art students said they expect to not only gain valuable experience from participating in the sale, but they hope to further understand what kind of art students enjoy and why.
“We love talking about what we do and would love being able to share our passion with you through our artwork,” Pendley said.
