Local High School Art on Display at UK College of Pharmacy

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 20, 2010) — Visual arts students at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) at Lafayette High School in Lexington have created original artwork that is being displayed in the new University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy building.

The project is a way to implement the ongoing theme of connecting art and healing at UK, said Trish Freeman, associate clinical professor in the Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science who helped spearhead the project. "For me, what we do in pharmacy is a form of art in its own way," she said. "I think the students' interpretation of medicine and science in their artwork will be a welcome and distinctive exhibit for pharmacy faculty, staff, students and visitors."

Interim Dean Patrick J. McNamara said he immediately supported the idea brought to him by Freeman several months ago. "This is not only a great way to showcase the work of young artists but it also provides us a unique way to promote pharmacy and research in the community."

The SCAPA students artwork can be found on the third floor of the building which houses the Colleges' biology, chemistry and biochemistry research laboratories. 

Teresa Rivera, SCAPA visual art teacher, coordinated the project and asked her 10th grade students to complete 8 foot by 4 foot canvases to be displayed in the building beginning April 16. 

"The students have the talent to work hard and make it effortless at the same time. This opportunity gave the students a chance to work and express themselves on a large scale," Rivera said. "Any teacher would be proud to have this group; I’m just the one who lucked out."

SCAPA student Claire West's artwork was inspired by the patterns found underneath a microscope with a magnified view of an object, she said. "The difference in thickness of the black lines is meant to make the paintings seem more natural," West said. "The colors are all bright to help attract attention."

The new UK College of Pharmacy building, located at 789 South Limestone, opened to students and faculty in January 2010. The 286,000 square-foot facility is the largest academic building in Kentucky and among the biggest in the nation and includes a five-story atrium.