International Arts Center holds exhibitions

For some people, a painting is just a painting, but at Troy University, it is so much more. Over the last month, Troy University's International Arts Center (IAC) has worked to bring students and staff two new galleries as part of its rotating exhibits.  

The two exhibitions are named "So Near, So Far" by Daniel White and "Transience: Trace and Erasure in Lost Landscapes" by Angel Fernandez and Winter Rusiloski. The art pieces consist of oil paintings, assemblages, statues and abstract paintings.  

"Art is everything," said Angel Fernandez, a sculptor and educator from Texas. "Art is life and the artwork that I make is my identity." 

Artists hope to not only share their artwork but also inspire students. 

"If it's an art student, I hope it inspires them," said Daniel White, an oil painter and museum director from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. "I hope it helps them keep being creative and to express themselves.  

“If it's a person from the public, I just hope they have a great evening and enjoy the work." 

The artists also hope their artwork will bring people together to share something wonderful. They hope to shed light on the art itself and add meaning to the world. 

  "The arts in general, like dance and music and writing, they're all ways for us to express ideas, emotions, thoughts on humanity," said Winter Rusiloski, a contemporary artist from Texas. The artists also hope to convey other messages about labor, life and childhood.  

"If there is one thing that viewers walk away with, perhaps it’s an appreciation for this soil that we share," Fernandez said. "There's a memory; there's a history.  

“It's not always beautiful, and it's not always pleasant. However, none of our histories, I think, are pleasant." 

Students have their own perspective of the pieces ranging from philosophical to just enjoying the childlike nostalgia. Some even enjoyed the art solely because it looked funny.  

"[My favorite is] probably Sisyphus tires,” said Makayla Allen, a senior art education major from Albertville, Alabama, when asked about her favorite piece. “That one's just really cool, pointing back to like Greek mythology and just that never ending battle with labor." 

The rotating exhibits will be on display until November.