Take Some Time Before Finals to Look at Art by Students and Masters
BYU is a hotspot for art in Utah Valley. Although the HFAC’s Galleries are no more, the Galleries of West Campus are now open to the public. The Weight Room (Art dept.) and 1313 (Design dept.) are brimming with student art, and BYU’s Museum of Art is also full of beautiful works. The Maynard Dixon exhibition is open until September, and a new exhibition called Primal Forces recently opened in March.
Many people find it calming to create or simply view art, and all BYU students and faculty could use some peace as we near the end of the semester. Take some time for yourself before finals week and check out these free events.
‘Maynard Dixon: Searching for a Home’ Gallery Talk with Kitsa Behringer
Wed April 12, 12:10 – 12:40 pm
MOA
The MOA’s Gallery Talks are 30-minute exhibit walk-throughs with an expert museum educator/curator. Attendees can expect to hear expert insights on exhibitions and join a discussion about the artists and artworks featured in the MOA. Maynard Dixon is the focus this time, and Kitsa Behringer will be discussing his paintings and works of poetry.
Being an Artist and a Mother Panel
Wed April 12, 7-8 pm
BYU Library, Reynolds Auditorium (1st floor)
This panel will feature a “conversation about the challenges and opportunities of being an artist and a mother.” The six exceptional women on the panel are editors, writers, artists, podcasters, musicians and educators. You can submit questions here. Bonus: there will be refreshments.
19th-Century and Modernism Prints
Wed April 12 - Fri 14
MOA Print Study Room
Did you know that the MOA has art by Picasso? Those works aren’t usually on display because of copyright and other restrictions, but for three days the Museum is showing selected pieces from its print collection. Selections will showcase a variety of 19th century styles (Cubism, Pop Art, German Expressionism, Surrealism, etc.) by artists including Warhol and Picasso.
BFA Illustration Show Reception
Thur April 13, 6-8 pm
Design Studio 1313
This show is a capstone project for seniors graduating in Illustration. The exhibition is open until Apr 19, but there will be a show reception (with refreshments) on Thursday, Apr 13. Exhibition-goers can expect to see a whole gamut of contemporary illustration and a wide variety of mediums. There will be wearable art, children’s book illustrations, graphic novel excerpts, video game concept art, and much more. 1313 is open and free all year long, so if you can’t fit time in before finals, give it a visit in the spring.
Open Studios Night
Thur April 13, 6:30-8:30 pm
Various Locations
B66 - 3D BFA/MFA Studios (6:30-7 pm)
JKB - 2D BFA/MFA Studios (7-7:30 pm)
WCCB - BA Art (8-8:30 pm)
BYU students completing their BFA or MFA open up their workspaces to the public for one night so people can see what they’re working on. The locations are scattered across campus, but here’s a handy map for finding the studios (and refreshments.)
Art Department’s Annual Student Exhibition Opening
Fri Apr 14, 7-9 pm
The Weight Room Gallery (WCCB 2470)
The Annual Student Exhibition is open to all students who have taken a class from the Department of Art in the past year. Non-majors, minors, BA, BFA, MFA, and MA students can all submit, and art faculty members are tasked with choosing which pieces to show. Like the Illustration exhibition, there will be all kinds of mediums and genres on display: paintings, drawings, prints, photos, sculptures, ceramics, video art, sound art, installation art, etc. Like 1313, the Weight Room Gallery is open all year long and free to visit.
Slow Art Day
Sat Apr 15, 11-3 pm
MOA
Slow Art Day is an international annual event that helps people discover that they can experience and understand art without guidance from an expert. The MOA is participating this year to help patrons find more joy through looking at art. These pamphlets are fantastic resources for engaging with the art. All attendees will receive a “free art print, a kids' kaleidoscope, or a pocket magnifying glass.” If you get there early, you might even get a gift card to the MOA Store!
Even if you can’t make any of these events in person, the MOA has high-quality photos of some of their art in virtual galleries for you to enjoy. No matter what, be kind to yourself leading up to and during finals week. Award your hard work this semester by taking yourself out to one or more of these events to view some beautiful and moving art.