This November, students will see the introduction of five hand-crafted poetry birdhouses that have each been transformed with artistic approaches of paint, ceramics, metal, or collage. Each will have a poem inscribed inside.
"This is a marriage of visual arts and poetry. We would hope the addition of artwork would really bring joy to people," said Victoria Fridley, AART chair.
The Arts and Aesthetics Resource Team (AART) is comprised of LBCC staff and faculty committed to promoting art and improving the aesthetics on campus. Working with the Corvallis Arts Center and the LBCC Foundation, Fridley, along with Chair of New Art M'Liss Runyon, succeeded in organizing the "poetry birdhouse" project on campus.
The Linn County Cultural Coalition, funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust, recently granted the college $2,800 fund the project.
Corvallis carpenter Tom Olson was commissioned to build the cedar birdhouses, each one unique and with a functioning door. Five local artists were selected to adorn the birdhouses. Five poems, one of which will be written by a LBCC poetry club member, will be added inside each house. Their metal poles were produced by the LBCC Welding Club.
"We really want to strengthen the sense of community here," said Fridley, "We have student clubs involved and that was very important."
Although the birdhouses may never house a bird, there will be resident writing journals in each. Designed to be interactive with students, a page from a journal can be used by those inspired to write in response to what they see or read.
"They can respond back with a note and then shut the door," said Runyon. “I would love to have people enjoy the houses in multiple ways.”
LBCC already has a plentiful and growing collection of art.
The birdhouse project is one piece of an overall effort to highlight art displayed on campus. This term, pamphlets were displayed around campus guiding an art walk where students can view the campus collection.
"It's not like we're going to finish this project and it's done—it’s the tip of the iceberg," said Runyon.
North Santiam Hall has been transformed by a donation from Bill and Jane Siebler who purchased artwork for LBCC from local artist Earl Newman. The creation of the mapped tour is part of AART's future aspirations to receive more grant money for expansion.
"We have a lot of concrete so I started thinking of a 10-year plan to work in the beauty, not only in, but outside the buildings," said Runyon.
The goal of selection includes both Albany and Corvallis artists and poets. The call for submissions will go out to both communities in the near future.
For inquires contact Victoria Fridley at fridlev@linnbenton.edu.
No comments:
Post a Comment