Adorning the walls and filling display cases along the lower level of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, visitors find themselves face-to-face with a showcase unlike anything Fairfield University has seen in as long as its community can remember: this year’s “Art by All” exhibition. Spearheaded by Senior Leo McNamee, a visual arts student at Fairfield, “Art by All” aims to provide a unique forum for students, faculty and staff alike to present their work.
In the past, student artwork has been shown almost exclusively in the basement of Loyola Hall. “They have displays and stuff on the walls sometimes. But unless you’re in an art class or have to go and pay a parking ticket, you’re probably not roaming down there,” Mcnamee explained as he expressed his dissatisfaction with the showcasing of students’ art at the university, “So, that was something, and I was like, well, what if we did an exhibit of student art?”
Beginning with a call for art at the onset of the semester through the middle of February and culminating with the exhibition’s opening reception on March 3, “Art by All” features more than 60 pieces of artwork from members of the Fairfield community. Mcnamee, himself, presented two of his own paintings as part of the exhibition.
“We have all sorts of media, too,” Mcnamee explained, “There are prints, photos, collages, paintings… We have ceramics, sculpture, embroidery, there’s even a costume from a costume designer.”
What was even more surprising for Mcnamee, though, was the range of artist submissions the exhibition received. “There are people from all the departments, all the colleges,” he noted, “there’s a crazy variety.”
While initially driven by one student’s vision, this exhibition was by no means an individual effort. “So many people were willing to help,” Mcnamee explained, “The library did a good job of helping advertise and the art department did too.” Supporting his vision, the event was sponsored by the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, the Arts Institute of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Center for Social Impact and the DiMenna-Nyselius Library.
Mcnamee gave specific thanks to Lisa Thornell, Head of Library Outreach and Communications at Fairfield and Dr. Marice Rose, chair of the Department of Visual & Performing Arts, for their help in shaping the “Art by All” exhibition into what it became.
In an interview with the Mirror, Dr. Rose expressed her joy with the exhibition’s success and the value of this art at Fairfield University. “It is wonderful to see the variety of media… and styles that our colleagues and classmates use to express themselves,” Dr. Rose explained, “Having it together in one place is a powerful way to display the diversity of viewpoints and interests and great talent, here at Fairfield.”
The “Art by All” opening reception proved to be just as successful as the exhibition itself. Mcnamee and Dr. Rose, alongside other members of the organizing committee, spoke to a packed house as they officially presented this year’s collection of work. Continuing the trend of impressive student art, Mcnamee’s speech was followed by an original song performed by a Fairfield student, sophomore Seraphina McKay.
“There was a great energy in the room during the opening,” Dr. Rose reflected, “I loved that it brought together students, faculty and staff from across the university and that they brought their friends and families.”
For the Fairfield community, “Art by All” showcases a side of the university that has long gone underappreciated. Organizers and artists alike hope that this exhibition is the first of many celebrating community artwork. Dr. Rose remarks, “We definitely want to keep this going as a regular event, at least every other year. This university is filled with artistic talent, and we’d love to showcase it. We hope even more people submit their work next time!”
The “Art by All” exhibition will be open for viewing in the lower level of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library until April 13. A guestbook has been provided outside of the Global Fairfield office for visitors to provide feedback on this year’s exhibit.
