Diverse Art on Campus: Creativity Outside the Lines

Through the centuries, art has served as a window on time, a unique perspective from the creator’s eye prompting the viewer to have a personal and emotional connection.  When most people are asked to name an artist, often their response is Pablo Picasso, Vincent van Gogh, or Leonardo da Vinci.  Yet, their contemporaries such as Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Mary Cassatt, and Artemisia Gentileschi struggled for full recognition.  The door to the art world was left ajar to them, but they could not fully enter because they were women and minorities.  Time has allowed us to see the greatness of these artists, and recognize that diversity in all mediums is something to be valued and encouraged.

“Culture is telling stories, and art is the global language to tell them.” — Assad Komi.

Today, we recognize the power in art and how the diversity in both perspective and the artist themselves provide cultural bridges.  Art in a sense is communication without words; it allows people from different cultures and backgrounds to find a common ground and have discussions on history, race, climate, and other topics.

The Diverse Art Project at Bay Path, under the auspices of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Art Subcommittee, is establishing a climate of inclusive art by selecting female artists, artists of color, and LGBTQ artists.  Often underrepresented in the art world, Bay Path wants the visions of these artists to be seen—we want to tell their story.

The mandate of the DEI Art Subcommittee is clear:  create a visually inclusive and accessible campus environment with visual art. Each art piece (acquired and on loan) is accessible to all and strategically located on campus to reflect the space, and to engage the Bay Path community in conversation, reflection, and, ultimately, their imagination.

Current Collection

(See slide show above)

Soaring

Artist:  Jac Ouellette is a multi-media artist with a studio in South Portland, Maine.  Her sculptures, furniture and paintings can be found throughout New England in public schools, healthcare facilities, corporate offices, private homes and colleges.  Click here to learn more about Jac Ouellette.

Medium: Free Standing Metal Sculpture

Location:  Near entrance of Blake Student Commons

James Baldwin Portrait

Artist:  Ellis Echevarria is an award-winning art director and established artist with a career spanning three decades. Click here to learn more about Ellis Echevarria.

Medium:  Digital Woodcut 

Location:  Entrance of Hatch Learning Commons

Galaxy

Artist:  Andrew Carson’s works are installed in all 50 states and beyond.  Click here to learn more about Andrew Carson.

Medium:  Kinetic Sculpture of Glass

Location:  Near entrance to The Annex

Love Prevails

Artists:   Husband and wife artists Andrae and Priya Green collaborate to create public art and special projects. Click here to learn more about the artists.

Medium:   Mural

Location:  Bottom level of Blake Student Commons near Sullivan Career & Learning Center

Pilon
Artist:  Elizabeth Erazo Baez is a visual artist of Puerto Rican descent capturing visual stories of Latino culture with bold colors and heartfelt expressions.  Click here to learn more about the artist.

Medium:  Giclee Canvas Reproduction Print
Location:  To be installed in Blake Student Commons

Cafe Negro with Fruit and Berries
Artist:  Elizabeth Erazo Baez is a visual artist of Puerto Rican descent capturing visual stories of Latino culture with bold colors and heartfelt expressions.  Click here to learn more about the artist.

Medium:  Original Acrylic on Canvas

Location:  To be installed in Blake Student Commons

Eva 

Artist:  Born in Puerto Rico, Rosa Ibarra is passionate about cultures, and when she is not traveling the world finding inspiration for her next body of work, she is helping people discover their inner creativity.  Click here to learn more about the artist.

Medium:  Oil on Canvas, Sea Glass, Paper

Location:  President’s Office

Luna
Artist:  Born in Puerto Rico, Rosa Ibarra is passionate about cultures, and when she is not traveling the world finding inspiration for her next body of work, she is helping people discover their inner creativity.  Click here to learn more about the artist.

Medium:  Mixed media, copper and silver leaf, oil on canvas

Location:  Leary Hall, entrance to Board Room

Yellow Flower
Artist:  Born in Puerto Rico, Rosa Ibarra is passionate about cultures, and when she is not traveling the world finding inspiration for her next body of work, she is helping people discover their inner creativity.  Click here to learn more about the artist.

Medium:  Mixed media, sea glass, stones from Latvia, copper leaf, oil on canvas

Location:  Leary Hall, entrance to Board Room