Fine Arts Warms Students!

Temperatures have dropped after a lot of fresh snow this past week. Currently we're seeing about -7 F (-21 C), which is still short-pants and skirt weather for some individuals. But for most, the body is dressed in many layers to accommodate the contrast of temperature change in going from the frigid outdoors to a toasty building and vice versa. Below zero temperatures aren't too bad in dry arctic desert areas but as soon as the wind is anything more than calm the cold atmosphere can nibble at your skin and comfortably rest in your hands and toes.

On cold days it's nice to warm up a little by checking out some of the latest displays at the University Art Gallery located in the Fine Arts Complex just left of the Great Hall in the Art Department. The University Art Gallery is an exhibition space for UAF Art students, faculty, staff and visiting artists. The gallery hosts MFA and BFA thesis exhibitions, a required component of graduating students, and constantly hosts exceptional art.

Photo from The Native Art Center at UAF Facebook page.

Currently, The Native Art Center proudly presents Monoprints and fashion STATEMENT, an exhibition in collaboration and partnership with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Native Arts Center and Printmaking Program, the International Gallery of Contemporary Art, artist and professor Melanie Yazzie from the University of Colorado, Boulder, as well as Alaska Native Artists and students, Kathleen Carlo, Erin Gingrich, Eric Hamar, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Erica Lord, Da-ka-xeen Mehner, Junko Yanagda, Marjorie Tabone, and Denis Keogh. The show is on display until 18 November in honor of National American Indian & Alaska Native Heritage Month.

Another great way to keep busy and relieve stress during cold winter months is to not only view art, but make art! Art classes in

are not restricted to students in an Art degree program but are actually available to all UAF students. The same goes for Music and Theater classes.

I encourage you all to come in from the cold once in a while and see what's new at the University Fine Art's Gallery, and also to consider signing up for art classes next semester. Art is a fun and engaging way to experience others' ideas and creations, and to express one's own opinions and worldview. Fine Arts can keep you warm, and sometimes might just get your blood boiling. Stay warm, be inspired, and express yourself!

The University Fine Art's Gallery is open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., and is closed on weekends and University holidays.

For more information about spring 2012 classes, search under ART to see what will be available next semester, and speak to your academic adviser about registering for class!