SRU SGA art gallery planned for University Union

(From left) Slippery Rock University Art Society students Nikki Wakefield, a senior from Pittsburgh; Chelsey Werner, a sophomore from Sharpsville; Anthony DeRosa, a senior from New Wilmington; and Travis Sallack, a senior from Johnsonburg, plan to open the Student Government Association Student Run Art Gallery in the University Union.

Dec. 8, 2016

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - To the naked eye, a nondescript conference room inside the University Union may appear as nothing more than that - a room. But for a group of Slippery Rock University art majors, it is a future showcase for creativity and imagination that can be shared and enjoyed by all.

The group - Nikki Wakefield, a senior from Pittsburgh; Chelsey Werner, a sophomore from Sharpsville; Anthony DeRosa, a senior from New Wilmington; and Travis Sallack, a senior from Johnsonburg - part of the Slippery Rock University Art Society, will soon transform the space into the Slippery Rock Student Government Association Student Run Art Gallery.

The room, 204 University Union, which encompasses 921 square feet, was previously used by the theater department. The SRSGA provided $6,000 for renovations that will take place during the winter break, with an eye on a spring 2017 opening.

The Art Society will operate the gallery and hopes to install four exhibitions in conjunction with its opening.

The gallery will run independent of SRU's Martha Gault Art Gallery and provide a "student only" exhibition space. While student art is displayed at the Gault gallery, the venue also showcases works from professional artists.

"We'd like to see artists, both major and non-major, have a place to explore and gain valuable, real-life experience in a gallery setting," said Sallack, who will serve as gallery director. "This space is also an area designated to foster interdepartmental collaboration."

Students seeking to exhibit their paintings, ceramics and multimedia works will fill out an entry form for evaluation by Sallack and Sean Macmillan, assistant professor or art.

"The proposals sent back to the SRU Art Society will be reviewed by the board members and selected based on gallery limitations, availability of exhibition dates and show concept," Sallack said.

"Student artists only have the student juried show every spring, and bachelor of fine art majors have a senior thesis show to exhibit their work on campus," said Wakefield. "The student-run gallery will give students of all majors a chance to show their art on campus, which will not only add to their resumes, but hopefully incorporate art into everyone's lives.

"We hope the gallery can serve as a creative outlet for all students on campus, whether it be submitting their work or enjoying their fellow students' creations and for bringing all students together. We're receptive to all mediums."

MEDIA CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine | 724.738.4854 | gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu