While known for its cows and quiet atmosphere, the University of Minnesota’s St. Paul campus has an underappreciated masterpiece: the Paul Whitney Larson Art Gallery. Their newest exhibition, titled “Beyond the Bounds,” opened Jan. 22.
The collection showcases student art in various media, ranging from painted canvases to paper sculptures and digital creations. What ties them all together is their mythical, fantasy-inspired focus.
No two displays are the same. In one corner of the room, the flowering paper sculpture “Piece by Piece, Petal by Petal” by student Nina Jiang sits on a pedestal, bringing a touch of life to the space. It’s balanced by the nearby “Circus Paredolia,” an ink illustration of eyeballs and natural motifs, by Max Lauritzen.
The gallery team sorted through their call for art submissions to create the exhibit, an application open from October to the first week of March every year.
Abigail May, a second-year art history student and student coordinator of the exhibit, said that the team noticed a common theme of otherworldly imagination running through many of the artworks from last year’s call for art. Still, each piece had a unique look.
“There was a great variety of styles with the artists,” May said. “We wanted to showcase that with students, they have this great range.”
Each contributor for “Beyond the Bounds” is a current student or recent graduate of the University, but the gallery regularly showcases work from non-students as well.
“We also want students to be exposed to high-quality art and different ideas that are coming from our community,” Tricia Schweitzer said, building art and galleries manager for Student Unions and Activities.
The Larson Gallery has the bones of any other exhibition space: white walls, soft lighting and hardwood floors. What gives them an edge is how they engage the community.
The gallery installed a craft table for “Beyond the Bounds.” It sits in the middle of the gallery floor, framed by artwork on the walls and covered in paper, various coloring supplies and poseable drawing mannequins.
What started as a way to engage visitors has turned into an opportunity to rest and let their minds flow amid the stress, Schweitzer said.
“It’s a really good space for joy right now,” May said. “I’ve always loved fantasy just to spark my imagination, and when times are tough, it can be a good place to escape.”
Students use the open call for art and crafting opportunities as outlets to share their art and build community without large barriers.
“We want to make art approachable,” Schweitzer said. “We want it to be a path for anyone who wants to be a part of it, from either applying to a show with their creative work or stopping in to create.”
There’s a reception for every new exhibition where student contributors get a chance to mingle with professional artists, May said.
The Larson Gallery is one of Student Unions and Activities’ network of four galleries around the Twin Cities campuses. There are roughly six shows across these galleries every year, according to Schweitzer.
“Beyond the Bounds” has an upcoming reception in the Larson Art Gallery on Feb. 12 and will remain open until April 10. Students can get to the gallery by taking the 121 Campus Connector bus to the St. Paul Student Center.
