By Sandra Tragesser
UHCLIDIAN STAFF

High expectations abound as UH-Clear Lake's new art gallery begins initial planning.

The proposed art gallery will benefit students, staff and the community while elevating UH-Clear Lake's stature in the art world.

"The ability to bring recognized artists to our campus has the ability to enrich and enliven the lives of all UHCL students and staff," said Mathew Linton, assistant professor of communication and art.

Both faculty and students' work will be exhibited in the new gallery. The showcasing of national and international artists will promote the university and the community.

"High-caliber art galleries have been held in high regard at universities all over the country and world," Linton said. "We hope to have a space that will compete with the best of them."

A renovation meeting for the new gallery took place Sept. 11. Sandria Hu and Nick deVries, professors of art, met with Dan Wilson, director of interior design of the facilities management and construction department, to discuss renovation plans for the Bayou Building's former gift shop. Plans discussed included the possible expansion of the existing space.

In addition, the new gallery allows the art department to experiment with new media.

"The enclosed and controllable space will allow us to add film and video, performance, sound, light and digital media to our repertoire of painting, sculpture and photography," Linton said.

Furthermore, the current trend of displaying artwork in heavy traffic areas, in Atria I or II of the Bayou Building, does not allow for the contemplation of individual artifacts.

"Artwork needs to be viewed in a thought provoking atmosphere, which we cannot achieve in the current situation," said Stuart Larson, assistant professor of communication and art. "Looking at art in the middle of the Atrium is like reading Emily Dickinson while watching MTV. Although you could probably read the words, you will always miss the true meaning."

Moreover, the glass-fronted room situated across from the campus police station will house the art gallery. The location was chosen for added security. Past showings of artwork lacked full-time security.

Also, the controlled space allows for art exhibits that are provocative or political in nature, whereas the current displaying of art in a public arena limits subject content.

The gift shop, which formerly resided in this space, has moved into the bookstore.

Opening of the new gallery is scheduled for later this year.

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