Issue date: 10/9/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Christine Soriaga "Shirley Crow: Images for a New World," an exhibit sponsored by the MSC Visual Arts Committee, is on display in the J. Wayne Stark Galleries through Oct. 26. [Click to enlarge]

The Memorial Student Center Complex Visual Arts Committee is housing the work of artist Shirley Crow through Oct. 26 in the J. Wayne Stark Galleries. "Images for a New World" dramatizes the formerly unimaginable changes and possibilities, exciting and foreboding, in our world, Crow said.

The VAC's former advisor used to live in New Mexico and was acquainted with Crow through the Santa Fe art scene, said senior English major Jaimie Potter, VAC chairman. "We were intrigued by her process and point of view."

Crow spoke to students Sept. 17 at a reception in the galleries, describing her personal life and background, her career as an artist and her style and creative process. Crow said she grew up in a small Midwest town. After her father left her and her mother, who was mentally ill, Crow's grandmother raised her.

"My grandmother was - and still is - what keeps me going on," Crow said.

Crow dealt with the stress of her family life by lying under a tree and looking at the world around her. Her interest in "the mystery of the universe" influences her work.

"Everything she paints about looks at things from a new point of view," said junior management information systems major Long Dao. "It's all about the nature of the world around us."

Crow got married the day after she graduated from the University of Missouri, where she studied art. Crow pursued art as a hobby, but focused on taking care of her family. Crow said one day she came home from church, stood in her kitchen and felt overwhelmed by sadness. She decided that to be happy, she had to take her art more seriously.

"I tell students, you have to do something that's natural for you," she said.

Crow accepted a fellowship with the Delaware State Arts Council. Soon after, she suffered back pain that hindered her activities. She stopped painting and felt depressed. Her husband retired early and the couple moved to Santa Fe. Crow's pain lessened, and she began to paint landscapes of Santa Fe, where she said even the dirt is beautiful.

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