A Mother-Son Experience: Art at the Library
“Art has always been my passion. It’s a love of mine. As a non-traditional student, I feel like I appreciate the knowledge so much more now.” — Sue Wright
What began as an art project for a summer practicum course under Carrie Parks-Kirby turned into an unforgettable memory for Sue and Andrew Wright. The mother-and-son duo spent about 90 hours a week working on a set of eight nature-inspired pieces of art that can be seen on the north retaining wall outside the lower level of the library.
Andrew and Sue Wright
This area of the library had been in need of a makeover for quite some time, especially considering the vast number of students who use the lower-level study rooms that face the wall, says Carol Zeile, library director. Blinds that were once broken and couldn’t be opened have been taken down, so students can enjoy the new view.
“Several years ago, library members suggested something be done with the area because it was not aesthetically pleasing,” says Ziele. “The landscape outside has been improved, so it’s easier to walk in there, and the art work is just beautiful.”
In addition to adding beauty to the campus, it also was important to Sue and Andrew Wright that their artwork meant something. They wanted to give back to the college from which they plan to graduate together in 2012.
“We named the project ‘Our Journeys Through the Seasons’ on purpose,” says Sue. “The students, the community, we all have journeys, and we wanted the art work to be connected to the college.”
After taking her first art class in 2005, Sue, an office associate in the library, says she ran home to her husband in excitement.
“Art has always been my passion. It’s a love of mine. As a non-traditional student, I feel like I appreciate the knowledge so much more now,” she says.
When the opportunity arose to further ignite this passion and to improve the college, she was sold. She and Andrew made their proposal to Zeile and then took on the task of overseeing the project from start to finish. This meant working with a budget, buying the supplies, and even installing the artwork with the help of a contractor, all in time for Homecoming.
Though the pair basically lived at the art department during the duration of the project, Andrew says they were not sure they would meet their deadline. After all, each piece of art contains roughly 40 ceramic tiles, chosen for both durability and beauty.
“Working so much, at times, was frustrating,” says Andrew, a business and art major. “There was no time to relax, but it was definitely nice to work with my mother.”
The project has been well received. Sue says she is pleased with the outcome.
“It was such a wonderful experience, and I’m so glad I can look back on it in the years to come,” she says.
— Ellen Doepke
Posted: Thu, October 22nd, 2009 at 10:09AM
