104 years.
Altogether, that’s how much time emeriti professors Randy Carlson, Oscar Gillespie and Fisher Stolz have contributed to Bradley University – a number represented by the Roman numeral CIV.
In celebration, the CIV Collective Art Exhibit opened at the Heuser Art Gallery last Friday, unveiling these professors’ work in the arts. The mastery they spent 104 years sharing with students is now open for the public to view.
The exhibit featured pieces spanning paintings, ceramics and captivating structures, all placed around the room. Meanwhile, attendees ranged from Bradley students to alumni and friends of the artists.
Beyond their mediums, the pieces represented a quieter story.
With a century to undertake, the CIV collection spotlighted the years within – and what they meant to the artists.
For Carlson, 50 of those years went into making his ceramic pieces. He says that his work, along with the rest of the art in the collection, goes beyond the surface-level impression.
“It’s not just art; it bridges into many things,” Carlson said.
Art is constantly evolving, and these professors watched it change during their time as teachers.
That time is 32 years for Stolz, who served as a professor at Bradley for that duration. His career involved shaping students and helping them see life in color.
Stolz wants people to dig deeper and consider meanings, interpretations, expressions and novelties. He also noted the importance of having passion.
“Art is something you do because you love it,” the retired professor said. “But the drive? The drive is something that makes you wanna do it every day.”
The CIV Collection, presented in the Heuser Art Gallery, is free to see until Nov. 6 for those interested
