Students got the opportunity to find out exactly what goes on in Heuser Oct. 31, when the art department offered campus-goers and high school students free access to the art building. With a surrealist theme in the Halloween spirit, there was a multitude of artistic techniques to explore.
Students were able to interact with professors and current art students, watching demonstrations and trying some of the techniques themselves. From that, they were able to learn about Bradley’s art program.
“I think mostly we are wanting to have people know what we have here [and] what we do in the studio,” Associate Professor of Ceramics Randy Carlson said.
Guests were given a map of the building, which included the activities and the professors covering them. Demonstrations included pottery construction, bronze casting, book arts, relief printmaking and surrealism videos.
On the third floor, art students demonstrated a couple of techniques of printing designs on T-shirts, which students could take as souvenirs. Students could also get their photo taken in old style tintype, watch pottery being made and explore book arts and letterpress.
Chairperson of the Art Department Paul Krainak said that this open house was a way to introduce students to the art department and educate non-majors about intermediate art classes.
“Even people across campus, students who are maybe even considering some sort of elective that they’ve never tried before, I think it’s important for them to have an opportunity to walk across and look and sort of see what we do as well,” Carlson said.
The event also served as a means for the pottery club to raise funds selling ceramic bowls, chili and baked goods.
“Right now, we are supporting the pottery club through the sales,” graduate student in ceramics Kari Thornton said. “Half of our proceeds from the soup bowl is going to the Midwest Food Bank in Peoria [as well].”
As it has in previous years, the event creates a welcoming atmosphere to foster awareness and bring new people into different art classes.
