The exhibit, “Converging of Times,” opened Oct. 1 in the Coffman Art Gallery at the University of Minnesota’s Coffman Union, showcasing an artistic representation of the complexities of human life. 

The exhibit, set to run until Feb. 2, 2025, features work from artists Charvis Harrell, Debanjana Chatterjee and Len Davis. 

Teagan Londo, the building arts student lead and gallery manager for the Larson Gallery, housed in the University’s St. Paul Student Center, described the gallery as a “hidden gem” within Coffman Union. 

“It’s a way to understand communities that are not your own and be able to appreciate the art that happens in our area and nationally,” Londo said.

With the opening reception held at the Coffman Art Gallery on Oct. 3, the exhibit does not see many visitors, a gallery worker said.

Second-year civil engineering student Ayan Ahmed said she believes every campus should have an art gallery because it allows people to tell a story without telling a story. 

“I think it shows the campus diversity,” Ahmed said. “I think a lot of the art here is kind of focused on people’s cultural identities, and in a way that’s like showing that the school is open to everybody.” 

Second-year University student Haneen Muraweh said she stumbled upon the gallery and is happy campus has a space like it. 

“The first thing that popped into my head when I saw it was that I wish I had known about it,” Muraweh said. “I wish that other people knew that it was here.” 

Londo said students should check out the exhibit because it is in a big space where students have easy access to art. 

“We have so many cool people around the area that show their art through this,” Londo said. “It’s a way to understand communities that are not your own and be able to appreciate the art that happens in our area and nationally.

Londo said planning for the gallery took six to seven months, with planning beginning in March 2024. Londo and the other organizers picked out the artists in March and instantly began planning from there. 

Once the artists sent their work to Londo and her team, Londo said they began to organize and put everything together in the Coffman Art Gallery. 

Londo could not be there for the show opening but said she was very pleased with the turnout. 

“People were really interested in the art,” Londo said. “It was a really awesome opportunity to see a bunch of cool different things.” 

Londo said her favorite part of the process was the math to get artwork to fit in the cases. 

“I think there were 36 pieces or something like that,” said Londo. “They all have different styles, but making it look collected and curated is a really cool feat.”

Londo said she hopes all students visit the gallery and other spaces on campus to engage with art and understand different perspectives.

“There are two spaces, there’s a second floor in Coffman,” said Londo. “Just checking back and making sure they see what’s newest is really cool.”