Ella N - "New Student Art Gallery Opens in Philbrook Hall"

“New Student Art Gallery Opens in Philbrook Hall”

by Ella Nilsen

10/2/11

This fall, the newly opened Petrella Student Art Gallery in Philbrook Hall will give students a chance to both submit and view art by their peers.  Located in one of Philbrook’s nine dining rooms, the Petrella Gallery’s brick walls are lined with student art in all its various forms: drawing, painting, screen-printing, and photography.  The artwork will be replaced every couple of months and idea of displaying sculpture in addition to hanging pictures is currently being considered.

“I wanted to establish an opportunity for to students display their artwork publicly,” said gallery creator Adam Hill.  For Hill, a junior biology major, the idea for a gallery came last year.  “Previously, to view student artwork, you would have to go to the Paul Creative Arts Center. ” he said.  “No longer restricted to one particular building, this gallery allows any student to show their friends and family a hidden talent they may have.”

To make this idea a reality, Hill contacted members of Dining Services, including director Jon Plodzik. Approval from Dining was quick and the office was immediately supportive of the project.  Students in the UNH Art Association assisted Hill in setting up the gallery.

“I thought it was a great idea,” said Philbrook manager Brandon Crosby, “If I’m putting up pictures, I’d much rather it be student pictures, whether it be photos taken by students, or artwork made by students.”  Many of the pictures displayed elsewhere in the dining hall are photographs of student life at the university, most of which have been taken by UNH Photographic Services. 

From Crosby’s point of view, the cost to put up student artwork was about equal to what he currently spends on photos for the dining hall.  “It’s not very expensive stuff,” said Crosby.  “We have to do it anyways and I’m happy to do it.”  All student artwork is donated for the duration of the show; costs come with the supplies needed to display the artwork.

According to both Hill and Crosby, Philbrook was the most logical place to display student artwork because of the setup of the dining hall.  Unlike other campus dining halls Stillings and Holloway, Philbrook is separated into many different rooms with ample wall space. 

As of now, Hill is hoping to expand the project into one more dining room in Philbrook, and eventually, other spaces on campus.  He has also been talking to sculpture and woodworking professor Leah Woods about the possibility of featuring sculptures in the gallery along with the current pieces.  They are hoping to be able to display sculptures in the gallery soon, once the necessary pedestals or hanging cases are built to house student work.

“My idea would be to see one display case and two free-standing pedestals,” said Professor Woods.  She stated that the pedestals would display large works, whereas small pieces would be contained in a hanging display case.    

Woods believes that the risks inherent with showing freestanding work in a crowded and public place would be worth the benefits.  “This is my fifth year here and we’ve never had a problem with theft or things damaged or roughed up,” she said.  “Part of me thinks that people would touch the pieces, but I don’t think that’s a problem because I want people to experience the tactile sensation of holding clay or sculpture or wood.”

Philbrook Hall’s manager Brandon Crosby remains supportive of the idea for sculpture pieces in the dining rooms.  The biggest potential conflict for him is the issue of space management.  “There are peak times at dinner and lunch in here when it’s hard to find a spot to sit,” said Crosby.  “I don’t want to take seats out to put a display case in, but I’m sure we can figure out a way to display whatever it is.”

For Hill, the benefits of the gallery are already apparent.  “I’ve seen a lot of people go up to it and smile,” he said.  “It feels good to know as a student you are able to do something to improve the campus.  If you have an idea, do whatever it takes to make it work.”

For more information, to join the UNH Student Art Association, or to submit artwork for the next gallery show, email Hill at petrella.gallery@gmail.com.  The Petrella Gallery is a product of the UNH Student Art Association, Dining Services, and Student Senate.