Art: light and landscape

The Center for the Visual Arts' Haigh Auditorium was packed Thursday night for Charles Matson Lume's lecture, part of the UT Art Department's series of events focusing on the relationship between light and landscape.

"As a department with majors in studio art, art history and art education, the light and landscape theme holds appeal for students with a range of interests, while also, we hope, piquing the curiosity of the university and the broader community," said gallery director Leanne Gilbertson.

Lume showed pictures and spoke about the influences on his artwork. His family, friends, religion and even soccer have inspired his art pieces.

"Going to church is a big part of who I am; the space has a profound effect," said Lume.

This visiting artist is an associate professor of art at the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He currently teaches art and painting.

Since Tuesday, Lume has been installing his artwork in the CVA to capture the unique quality of light. Following the lecture on Thursday night, a reception with refreshments and celebration concluded the evening. Lume's site-specific art piece is in the Visual Arts Gallery at the CVA through Sunday, Oct. 3.

Lume ended the lecture by discussing the hope that his art will both expand the field of art and encourage more individuals to seek an experience with it.

This is just the beginning of the recurring light and landscape this year for the Art deparment.

"This fall semester and into spring semester, we also have several additional events, classes and exhibitions that are related to this theme," said Gilbertson, "Art Department faculty are currently offering an advanced photography course dedicated to explorations of light and landscape, and an advanced Renaissance art history course, Venice, Light and Landscape."

The art history class offers hands-on experience and will feature a student-curated exibit that opens at the museum in November.

Gilbertson is the new gallery director and is also excited to be teaching and developing artists.

"The gallery serves in my mind as both a structural and symbolic bridge between the history of art and the classrooms — between the museum and the studios — and I imagine it serving as a laboratory where students can experience hands-on training in all of the aspects of displaying and promoting contemporary art," she said.

"The Light and Landscape Group Exhibition" can be seen Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. This also includes work done by Sage Dawson and Ivan Fortushniak.

On Sept. 24, Sage Dawson will lecture on her experiences with light at 6 p.m. in the Haigh Auditorium.