A basement storage room in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building has transformed from a forgotten archive into a vibrant new exhibit at Northwest Missouri State University.
“Art Left Behind: Exploring Decades of Creativity,” open now through March 31 at the Olive DeLuce Art Gallery, features a curated selection of student works spanning from the 1960s to the present. The exhibition is part of the university’s Women’s History Month programming.
The project began when student curators Brooke Reyes, Jeri Walters, and Sammy Ward discovered approximately 300 discarded pieces in the building’s basement. Under the guidance of Dr. Karen Britt, associate professor of art, the trio spent months sorting through what Reyes described as a “visual archive of student voices.”
The collection largely highlights the evolution of printmaking at Northwest, with many pieces produced under the mentorship of Phil Laber, a faculty member from 1976 to 2016.
“We essentially were putting all of these prints on trial,” Reyes said of the rigorous selection process. “We decided it was important to pick a large range of pieces that encompassed the diversity of printmaking as a medium and as a practice.”
The exhibit showcases a wide array of artistic styles and historical contexts:
- Diverse Themes: Works range from abstract figures to pointed social and political commentaries.
- The “Green Lady”: A standout piece noted for its unique proportions and use of foreshortening.
- A Presidential Connection: One 1980s print featuring Ronald Reagan was identified as the work of a frequent visitor to the gallery.
- Lost History: While some pieces were signed, others remain anonymous, adding an element of mystery to the collection.
In addition to physical art, the curators unearthed 30 hours of videotape footage. A projector within the exhibit now displays highlights from these tapes, which include 1990s gallery openings, documentaries, and performance art.
“It made us reflect on how much has and hasn’t changed,” said Ward, noting that the footage provides a rare historical account of the faculty and students who shaped the program.
The Olive DeLuce Art Gallery is free and open to the public during the following hours:
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: Noon – 6 p.m.
- Wednesdays & Fridays: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.