UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Announces Opening Art Exhibits of New Academic Year

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August 30, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

The University of Texas at Tyler Department of Art and Art History is proud to present the first two exhibitions of the 2016 – 17 academic year, Michelle Taff, gallery coordinator, announced.

The Meadows Gallery is currently showing the "BFA Alumni Exhibition." A public reception and gallery talk is 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1 at the gallery, which is located in the R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center. This exhibit assembles art made by 22 UT Tyler Bachelor of Fine Arts Program alumni and continues through Friday, Sept. 30.

"With so many different artists participating, we have an outstanding variety of artistic styles and mediums represented in this exhibition," Taff said. "Our program has always supported artistic individualism, and it's nice to see that our alumni are still embracing that trait.

"Many of them have become teachers and professors themselves, passing along some of the skills and the knowledge they received during their undergraduate studies at UT Tyler. We are extremely proud of the work they are creating and the difference they are making in this world," she added.

The department also is currently featuring "Parallel Cultures" in the university's Fine Arts Complex Gallery. "Parallel Cultures" is sponsored by the UT Tyler Global Awareness Though Education Program. This exhibit is one of varied projects individual GATE students complete. It called for entries nationwide and is juried by UT Tyler's own professor of art James R. Pace.

A public reception with gallery talks is 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 at the gallery, located inside the Fine Arts Complex. The exhibit continues through Friday, Oct. 8.

"The idea of this juried exhibition was to communicate how all cultures share some similarities but at the same time can be so diverse," said GATE student and exhibit organizer Diego Loya of Tyler. "It is also another way to get the viewer out of their comfort zone, and let them know it is ok to be different and to learn new things. 'Parallel Cultures' has been more than just a project for me, it has been a great opportunity to grow as an artist and deliver the delightful experience of various cultures to others."

Both gallery hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by special appointment. For additional information, contact Taff, 903.566.7237 or mtaff@uttyler.edu or call the UT Tyler Department of Art and Art History, 903.566.7250.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.