Blog
A Year in Review: 2023 Art on Campus
December 01, 2023
Image Details (left to right): 1 People, 1 World, Matthew Duncan, spray paint on particle board, 2020, 2023.39.2. We the People: Greater than Fear, Shepard Fairey and Ridwan Adhami, print, 2017. 2022.49.1b. Grey Emotions, Sheefy McFly, 14-color screenprint, 2021. 2023.19.10. Janet as American Industry Worker, Rick Ed Wong-Ligda, oil on canvas, 2008. 2023.8.17. Curtis, Rosie Lee, acrylic on canvas, 2018. 2023.20.2.
As 2023 comes to a close, and we begin to look forward towards a brand-new year, the GVSU Art Gallery reflects on a year full of exciting exhibits, new relationships formed with artists and our community, and of course, brand new artwork adorning many of the walls found within all of our GVSU campuses.
Over 1,000 new works of art have been installed throughout GVSU’s campuses over the past year. The Art Gallery team worked with several different departments, bringing new specially curated artwork that reflects their unique programs, services, and resources. While the artwork around campus makes even the dreariest of hallways a brighter place, we also hope those who walk through newly renovated spaces find new voices, new stories, and new perspectives within the art.
Here’s to another year full of innovative and interesting artwork and to the many GVSU departments that make the GVSU community one of the best!
Highlights in the Replenish Basic Needs Center, located in the lower level of Kirkhof, Allendale Campus:
(Pictured above) 1 People, 1 World, Matthew Duncan, spray paint on particle board, 2020, 2023.39.2
Amor, David Pagán, mixed media, 2020, 2023.39.1.
The Replenish Basic Needs Center offers resources to all GVSU students, providing perishable and non-perishable food items, clothing, personal care items, household items, infant/child items, and school supplies. Offering a holistic approach to assistance, intercampus and community referrals related to housing, physical and mental health services, and employment are also available.
Highlights in the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, located in the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences, Health Campus:
(Pictured above) We the People: Greater than Fear, Shepard
Fairey and Ridwan Adhami, print, 2017. 2022.49.1b
Hollander Witness, Vera Klement, oil on canvas, 1981. 2021.29.6.
The Kaufman Interfaith Institute offers a place for individuals of all religious, secular, and spiritual identities to engage cooperatively in the work of a growing community and fostering human connection. The Institute is dedicated to creating a campus climate of belonging for all GVSU students, faculty, and staff and uplifting diversity in faith, belief, and philosophy of life at GVSU.
Highlights in the Tutoring Center, located in Henry Hall, Allendale Campus:
(Pictured above) Grey Emotions, Sheefy McFly, 14-color
screenprint, 2021. 2023.19.10.
Jump Rope Collage, Rick Beerhorst, mixed media, 2006. 2011.132.5.
Tutoring within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences serves GVSU students by providing tutoring and supplemental instruction. They foster academic success through multidisciplinary content support and promoting positive study behaviors. New artwork helped foster an inclusive, accessible, and learner-centered environment the Henry Hall Tutoring Center aims to create for all students.
Highlights from Mackinac Hall, Level One of Buildings C and D, Allendale Campus:
(Pictured above) Janet as American Industry Worker, Rick Ed Wong-Ligda, oil on canvas, 2008. 2023.8.17.
HEAD2HADES, Pauly M. Everett, 14-color mixed media on canvas. 2023.23.3.
One of the largest buildings on GVSU’s Allendale campus, Mackinac Hall contains classrooms, faculty offices and computer labs. An artwork refresh was completed over the summer for the first level of Mackinac in buildings C and D, encompassing most of the History department. New artwork was added to the space representing a variety of classes and themes covered by different history classes and events. Look for more updates to the Mathematics and Statistics departments in Mackinac coming soon!
Highlights in the Mary Idema Pew Library, Allendale Campus:
(Pictured above) Curtis, Rosie Lee, acrylic on canvas, 2018.
2023.20.2.
Hirundo Soul, Jaylei Art, acrylic on canvas. 2023.41.1.
Built in 2013, the Mary Idema Pew Library was designed to be the intellectual heart of the Allendale Campus. Offering a wide range of study environments for students. Summer updates to the artwork on all levels of the library seek to represent the diversity of the students studying together within the building. While much of the artwork remained, check out each level of the building for a few new pieces scattered throughout the building.