Student artists learn what it takes to show work at Cube 4 Gallery
By Max Bonem, Staff Writer
May 21, 2008 | 6 p.m.
“Both art students and students from other majors have the chance to show their work in a gallery,” said Avery Blair-Wilson, president of the Undergraduate Art League (UAL) and Cube 4 Gallery. “You don’t even have to have an elaborate show to gain experience in showing your work in the gallery.”
The Cube 4 Gallery, which, according to Blair-Wilson, has been in existence for close to a decade and is one of the only student-run galleries in the country, is located on the fourth floor of Seigfred Hall. The gallery offers students the rare experience of not only showing their work in a gallery, but also showing them the procedures and work that go into a show.
“Cube 4 is a safe place to show your work,” said Keith Skogstrom, a senior art student who most recently showed in Cube 4 during winter quarter. “You realize what it takes: repairing walls, track lighting, arrangement. It’s a real eye opener for some.”
According to Blair-Wilson, the space that now holds the gallery was first used as a place to sell art supplies, but over time, art students wanted a place to learn to show their work and hold critiques. Even after the gallery was founded the space received limited use, but in recent years, Cube 4 Gallery has become more in-demand than ever.
“When I was a freshman, the space [of Cube 4] had very little use, but over my sophomore and junior years, it became more utilized,” said Blair-Wilson, who is currently a senior painting major. “Now the schedule fills up really fast at the beginning of each quarter, and if the UAL had more galleries, those would get used, too.”
One of the most intriguing aspects of the gallery is that it is student-run. Cube 4 provides a unique experience for students here at Ohio University, said Matthew Friday, an assistant professor in the School of Art and UAL's faculty adviser.
“It’s definitely unique for the school in that it is a space for free, open discourse,” Friday said. “Students have the opportunity to do whatever they want, and it allows students to try things out in an actual gallery setting.”
Professor Friday has also witnessed the recent development of Cube 4 Gallery, and according to him, it all started with the active UAL members. “They are a very dedicated group of students,” he said. “They’ve brought in a design group from Chicago to do screen printing, they also hosted a graffiti artist workshop, and hopefully this will continue to evolve.”
Unfortunately for the members of the UAL and artists alike, Cube 4’s secluded location has prevented it from receiving the exposure and attendance that a more public space may provide. “Not only is the gallery a good student experience, but it is also important for viewers to come and see what’s going on,” Blair-Wilson said.
Similarly, Professor Friday believes the gallery’s location may hinder its exposure, and he would like to see people outside of the school of art made more aware of Cube 4.
“It would be great to see more students get active in the [Cube 4] gallery,” Friday said. “The gallery could attract more interdisciplinary events and could be a good resource for students in the theater and music schools.”
Although the gallery may suffer from its isolated location, Skogstrom believes that part of the role you play as an artist is relying on your own intuition. “You have to want to succeed,” he said. “People who make art in Athens have to be passionate about it, and a lot of students don’t know how much self-exposure they have to provide for themselves.”
Cube 4’s mission to educate students about the proper procedures and strategies for showing their work in a gallery shines through any obstacles that have stood in the gallery’s way. In the end, it provides young artists with the one thing that so many strive for.
“Any time you put art work up, it is an opportunity to have your work seen,” Skogstrom said.
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