Augustana Teaching Museum of Art hosts Art Matters: Triennial Faculty Exhibition

The Augustana Teaching Museum of Art will continue to display “Art Matters: Triennial Faculty Exhibition” until February 14, 2015, in the main gallery of Centennial Hall, 3703 7th Avenue in Rock Island. As part of the exhibition program, Professor of Art Rowen Schussheim-Anderson will give a gallery talk, “Design Sources – Organic Wanderings,” on January 16 at 4 p.m. This discussion, which is free and open to the public, will provide insight into the inspiration behind these works. The lecture will begin in Larson Hall (within Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts) and proceed into the galleries.

Eight members of the Augustana College art and graphic design faculty have original work on display. Artists represented include Kelvin Mason, Christian Mortenson, Megan Quinn, Vickie Phipps, Trew Schriefer, Rowen Schussheim-Anderson, Corrine Smith and Peter Xiao. The exhibition of more than 40 pieces includes photographs, ceramics, paintings, installations and tapestries.

The exhibition’s title, “Art Matters,” speaks to the significance of fine arts at Augustana. Dr. Pareena Lawrence, Augustana’s provost, describes the exhibition as inspiring.

“It’s what our faculty are, and it’s what they do—they inspire us,” Dr. Lawrence said. “We delight at this opportunity to celebrate these faculty artists and their works, which synthesize theory and practice of creative expression. The art in this show is as inspiring as the faculty members behind it.”

As co-chair of the art department, Schussheim-Anderson explained, “This faculty exhibit demonstrates our studio art and graphic design faculty’s current creative expression. The rich variety reflects not only the areas that we teach, but our individual conceptual and thematic investigations.”

Co-chair Peter Xiao added, “The exhibit provides a window into how we each tackle issues and concerns important to us through the creative process. We are pleased to share our work, and in doing so, offer this opportunity to connect with our students and the community.”