Spring Break
British art on display at Forsyth Center
By: Kenny Ryan
Issue date: 9/13/07 Section: News
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"What we have tried to do is highlight what it represents," said Tim Novak, director and curator of the MSC Forsyth Center Galleries. Pointing to paintings of Scottish earls Novak explained, "These people are really intimidating, that's what they wanted."
The exhibit is surrounded by a sparse collection of furniture representative of the period to set the mood, Novak said.
There are several prominent pieces of art on display.
The "Polar Vase" was originally on display at the 1908 World Fair in London.
"The front of the vase represents the North Pole with its polar bears, the back represents the South Pole with its penguins," Novak said. "For me it is one of the most fun pieces, because of the complex glasswork."
Glass making is an arduous process, it is heat reacted and requires skill to polish it and bring out its shine, Novak said.
Another piece of art Novak said he was excited about was the "Heath Hen" painting from 1748. "It is a picture of an extinct American bird," Novak said. "The bird was brought to London so it could be painted."
Visiting the Gallery is free, and open to individuals or groups.
"If you want a tour, call the office," said Robin Barnes, a junior communications major. "They give children's tours, veterans tours, any group that is interested."
Similar to the MSC Flag Room, students are encouraged to study or play the piano in the Gallery.
"A really neat thing about the Galleries people don't know is it's a good environment to study in," Barnes said. "Students come in and say the piano is the best to play on campus."
Every Saturday, the Gallery hosts a reception for the three hours leading up to the football game, offering free punch and cookies.
"We want students to know we have space for them to host meetings and lectures, even lunch and dinner is allowed inside," said Estela Feagin, the communications coordinator for the MSC Forsyth Center Galleries.
The art on display in the exhibit was donated by Texas A&M student Bill Runyon, class of 1935.
A podcast with more information on the display will soon be available at the Forsyth Galleries website, forsyth.tamu.edu.
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