Talent in the Talley Gallery

SAFAC Funds Support Visual Art Exhibits on Campus

By Rhea Wawrzyniak

Word Count: 807
Story #4



www.klenna.com 

Lennartson uses acrylic paints and mixed media such as charcoal, pastel,

colored pencil, cattle markers, graphite, and collage elements in her artwork.



Walking into the Education and Art Building, there is students walking in the hall, or there is classes going on. There are two wooden doors; it is room 212, and above the doors in black lettering and it reads “Talley Gallery.” Walking into the Talley Gallery it’s quiet and art work fills the white walls. All the art work is dissimilar, filling the Talley Gallery with multiple colors. Each piece of art work has a different name, and is made from different materials. Every piece of art work is framed unlike the other in different shapes and sizes.   

The art work recently displayed in the Talley Gallery was recent paintings by Kari Lennartson titled Order/Disorder. Lennartson filled the Talley Gallery with 23 original paintings.  

In  Fort Collins, Colorado Lennartson earned her MFA in painting at Colorado State University, and at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota she completed a BA in Studio Arts. Joan Snyder, Terry Winters, and Kiki Smith are artists that influence Lennartson. 



By Rhea Wawrzyniak

 

“I kept coming back to ‘Wing and Prayer,’ lovely. I’d hang it in my home,”

 was a comment Lennartson received. This painting is called, “Wing & Prayer” made

with acrylic on canvas that is 24” by 24” and was made in 2010.



“I love looking at it,” said Shanna Olsen, a 26-year-old BSU student. Olsen learned during an artist’s talk and explained that Lennartson starts with her least favorite color then just starts without any planning and Olsen thinks that is very inspiring. While looking at Lennartson’s paintings Olsen said, “It is very vibrant, and each time I look at it I find another image inside of it that just sort of shines through.”



By Rhea Wawrzyniak

The Talley Gallery at Bemidji State University filled
with art work by Kari Lannartson.



“I think a lot of it is really similar,” said Selina Thimell, a 20-year-old BSU student. “But, I do think she has some cool techniques.” Thimell said that a lot of people enjoyed this show. “I would love to see her in action painting one of these, that’s for sure,” said Thimell while looking at Lennartson’s paintings.  



By the exit of the Talley Gallery a binder was filled with many comments. “Glitter in paint! How cool,” “I beyond love your work! I also am really excited to work further in my work, your passion for art rocks!” Some other comments were, “Thank you for a remarkable and truly awe-inspiring show. The colors, the textures, the shapes are all so well-placed. Cheers. One of the best exhibits I’ve ever seen,” “Wow,” and “Wonderful and inspiring – great imagination and creativity. Thank you for sharing!” Two more of the comments read, “Very aesthetically pleasing use of color,” and “Beautiful colors!”  



Bemidji State University is able to have artists like Lennartson because the Talley Gallery gets money from SAFAC funds. In 2010 the Talley Gallery requested $9,768 and $8,360 got approved, and in 2011 requested $9,665 and $8,965 was approved.

“We have had internationally known artists in, photography, ceramics, painters, and illustrators,” said Laura Goliaszewski, adjunct faculty in the department of visual arts, in an e-mail interview.



According to Goliaszewski, director of the Talley Galelry, the SAFAC money is used to pay shipping cost for the artwork, materials for invitations and posters, and catered openings for the students at Bemidji State University. Also, money is spent on bringing artists to Bemidji to give lectures or do workshops, but that does not happen with every artist. Goliaszewski said that if the Talley Gallery had a bigger budget she would have more activities, lectures, and workshops with the artists.




By Rhea Wawrzyniak

This painting is called, “Wicker” and the size is 30” x 22”.  Lennartson used acrylic
 on paper, and she made it in 2008. One of the comments Lennartson received was,
“Gorgeous works, my favorite has to be ‘Wicker’!”



“The art work is a good exposure for the student body since we do not have access to museums in our area, the closest being The North Dakota Museum of art in Grand Forks or the Tweed Museum in Duluth,” said Goliaszewski. The Talley Gallery is a learning resource for many of the Bemidji Students.

Goliaszewski said, “I wish we had more support for the arts, it is an important contribution to what makes us truly human.”