Western Courier

Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: The Edge

Media Credit: Ivan Chapa The University Art Gallery is currently displaying "Permanent Collection: Art of the New Deal" and the Annual Department of Art Faculty Exhibition.

A part of history that cannot be described in books is the many captivating and passionate art arrangements from a time when this nation was at its worst.

Everyone knows about the details of the Great Depression, The Dust Bowl and World War II, but the impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt's "New Deal" programs extends to what inspires us now.

As FDR brought the nation together by comforting "fireside radio chats" and much needed public aid, he also created a program for artists to express what was going on at the time. Public Works of Art Project gave 3,700 artists jobs and created around 15,000 works of art. As Roosevelt put it, "This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper."

The University Art Gallery held a public reception of pieces from the "Permanent Collection: Art of the New Deal" exhibit on Tuesday night. From the support of Western Illinois University's "American Democracy Project," this theme was conveyed by showcasing many works that were done by more than 20 American artists.

The tone of the exhibit was more cheerful than depressing, with vibrant colors and powerful scenery. Early America was portrayed through industrial factories, farm plots, beautiful scenery and jazz musicians. Some pieces even had a Chicagoian touch. One done by Charles M. Turzak, displayed "Lincoln Park Zoo" from a wood block print done in 1934.

Many other classic arrangements also gave an outlet for artists to express the endurance of hard work and determinism. This exhibit gave off a strong sense of change and that the progress of art is important for all generations to appreciate.

Selections from the "Permanent Collection: Art of the New Deal," will be exhibited until Nov. 17.

The art gallery's upstairs featured a completely different exhibit that gave faculty members the spotlight.

The Annual Department of Art Faculty Exhibition was a mixture of many forms of art with various themes and messages from Western professors.

Kelly Warner, sophomore elementary education major, had different expectations before entering the gallery.

"I think it's interesting to see all the different types of art. I didn't expect it," she said. "I expected a bunch of paintings on the wall, but many of the pieces are creative and are things that I would have never thought to see."

One piece titled, "Moth" by Terry Rathje, art instructor, seemed to stand out from the norm. An actual run-down looking screen door was the canvas that had glazed on moths and bugs on the screen. It had pieces of license plates from different states spelling out, "I felt like a moth at the screen door."

New and somewhat different forms of art were made with satellite photos, polaroids and digital photography. The technology that was used to make some of the art was not sold out to beauty.

The unique blend of new forms and traditional concepts were stimulating and prominent.

The exhibition will continue to be displayed until Oct. 20.

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