Art Encourages Thought, Creativity for Students in New Residence Halls
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 27, 2014) — Students hauling carts filled with clothing, pillows and miniature refrigerators into their residence halls last Friday were too busy moving to observe art in their new surroundings. But as they filed through the common area of Woodlawn Glen I, a few couldn't ignore three bizarre figures of human faces encased in Plexiglas.
Resident adviser Jonathan Gettelfinger was excited to have professional art installed at the entrance of his newly opened dorm on Woodland Avene. He said the art complements the new, flashy modern interior of the dorms and enhances the learning environment for the students.
"It's really great," Gettelfinger, a junior, said. "It causes (students) to think and it causes them to dream."
Still, he admitted that the ceramic faces, with a variety of expressions, were a little bit "creepy." The artistic creations were produced by Paducah artist Michael Terra, who is also known as the "Mud Poet." The artist designed squints to help his daughter confront her fear of trees. Hanging squints on trees gave them a friendly or silly human expression.
The UK Arts in HealthCare program installed displays of original art in the common areas of five new dorms earlier this month. The program, which coordinates exhibits and art programs for the UK Chandler Hospital and other health care facilities, commissions artists from across the world. Last year, UK President Eli Capilouto requested the program provide artwork for the students in the dorms.
"It's different than buying art for the hospital," said Jackie Hamilton, director of the UK Arts in HealthCare program. "I tried to find things that were more playful and stimulating for the young mind."
The Arts in HealthCare program worked with EDR Management Company to coordinate artwork for each common area. The permanent installations were purchased from Kentucky artists. New art displays are located in Champions I and II, Woodland Glen I and II, and Haggin Hall.
MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Adams, elizabethadams@uky.edu