Bodies shuffle across the Forum Gallery admiring the work of Brookhaven art faculty and staff. A blanket of soft, respectful chatter fills the area. Hushed praise is given to artists present at the reception.
“What About Flowers?” brings together a diverse collection of works created using a multitude of artistic mediums. Visuals in the gallery range from bright bursts of delicate porcelain to detailed graphite studies of contorted circus figures. The result is a wonderful assortment of expression and talent.
Dallas College displays work from their art faculty and staff in “What About Flowers?,” as a part of a yearly tradition celebrating artists on campus. The exhibit is hosted in the Forum Gallery and presented by The Gallery Program of the School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design, or CAED.
The exhibit is open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., until May 1.
Despite the name, “What About Flowers?” does not adhere to a strict theme. Jarod Villalon, gallery coordinator of North Lake and Brookhaven, curated the exhibit using submissions from adjuncts, professors and staff.
Those in the show dropped off their work at the Forum Gallery and had it installed by Villalon. Except for Du Chau, arts and humanities adjunct at Brookhaven, who installed his pieces himself due to their meticulous and precise construction.
Villalon said the exhibition not only gives faculty and staff the opportunity to share their personal work but also gives students a better understanding of their instructors and their practices. They have the chance to engage with their instructors as professional artists.
“I like seeing the variety of work from artists who are painting or printmaking or photographing,” Natalie Macelliao, arts and humanities professor at Brookhaven and featured artist, said. “Just seeing what people are doing in their own studio practices, because as professors we don’t really get to talk about that as much as I think we would like to.”
“Hopefully this shows students that you can make a living doing what you want to do,” Arthur Fields, arts and humanities professor at Brookhaven and featured artist, said.
Macelliao said the name “What About Flowers?” comes from an interaction between Chong Chu, arts and humanities professor at Brookhaven, and David Moya, department chair of the School of CAED. The two were talking while Chu was working on a piece of art. Moya asked what he was depicting, Chu said it was a flower. The rest is history.
Participating artists include Arthur Fields, Chong Chu, Caroline Wilson, David Newman, Danielle Kimzey, Diana Fortin, Du Chau, Emily Howard, Fain Hancock, Jeffrey Glossip, Jen Gassiraro, Karla Ramirez-Santin, Lori Maclean, Natalie Macellaio, Stephanie Kim and Sarah Pickett.
