'Raw' gallery houses edgy grad student art
Jonathan Crowl
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Features
The name fits perfectly.
Kayleigh Speck and a group of MFA art students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln wanted a unique way to showcase their work. But organizing an open house and calling it good wasn't enough.
No, Speck and her buddies wanted something bigger, better, hipper.
They found their answer downtown in an old vacant building - the new home for their art. It was old and rundown and came at a price, but it was worth it.
The artists renovated the interior and prepared to feature their crafts inside, but the show needed a name, something that would encompass the artists' different styles while still tying a loose theme around the event.
Hence the title "Raw" came forth. With everything in place, Speck and her fellow students will showcase their work this Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 420 S. 11th St.
"We titled the show 'Raw' to interact with the space itself," Speck said. "We were kinda thinking about references to all of us being new in Lincoln and first-year grad students. I think all but one of us is from out-of-state."
Speck came to UNL from Rhode Island, drawn in part by Omaha's music scene, excellent funding from the school, a teaching assistant job and being "fascinated by the Midwest."
Speck is a photographer - the only one to go on display at "Raw." Other forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, digital video work and much more, will be well-represented.
Mark Bowen, another first-year grad student whose focus is painting, said organization of the event went "too smoothly." On Thursday, one day before the show, a major leak developed in the ceiling of the building, causing organizers to figure out a solution to a rather large problem.
"We are in the process of trying to figure out how much of this room we're still going to be able to use," Bowen said. "We just got the keys to the building next door, and I think we're going to move some stuff next door. We've got to block off a 15-foot square in (the main gallery).
"We'll definitely work it out. … It's a little setback, but we'll manage."
A live DJ will be present at the gallery, but the show will take on a refined, hip feel rather than a party atmosphere. Refreshments will also be served.
For those who cannot attend Friday night, the gallery will also be open Saturday from noon-5 p.m., and the week of April 14-17 it will be open from noon-2 p.m. or by appointment, creating opportunities for visits by downtown workers over their lunch breaks.
The show is free and open to the public.
jonathancrowl@dailynebraskan.com
Kayleigh Speck and a group of MFA art students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln wanted a unique way to showcase their work. But organizing an open house and calling it good wasn't enough.
No, Speck and her buddies wanted something bigger, better, hipper.
They found their answer downtown in an old vacant building - the new home for their art. It was old and rundown and came at a price, but it was worth it.
The artists renovated the interior and prepared to feature their crafts inside, but the show needed a name, something that would encompass the artists' different styles while still tying a loose theme around the event.
Hence the title "Raw" came forth. With everything in place, Speck and her fellow students will showcase their work this Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 420 S. 11th St.
"We titled the show 'Raw' to interact with the space itself," Speck said. "We were kinda thinking about references to all of us being new in Lincoln and first-year grad students. I think all but one of us is from out-of-state."
Speck came to UNL from Rhode Island, drawn in part by Omaha's music scene, excellent funding from the school, a teaching assistant job and being "fascinated by the Midwest."
Speck is a photographer - the only one to go on display at "Raw." Other forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, ceramics, digital video work and much more, will be well-represented.
Mark Bowen, another first-year grad student whose focus is painting, said organization of the event went "too smoothly." On Thursday, one day before the show, a major leak developed in the ceiling of the building, causing organizers to figure out a solution to a rather large problem.
"We are in the process of trying to figure out how much of this room we're still going to be able to use," Bowen said. "We just got the keys to the building next door, and I think we're going to move some stuff next door. We've got to block off a 15-foot square in (the main gallery).
"We'll definitely work it out. … It's a little setback, but we'll manage."
A live DJ will be present at the gallery, but the show will take on a refined, hip feel rather than a party atmosphere. Refreshments will also be served.
For those who cannot attend Friday night, the gallery will also be open Saturday from noon-5 p.m., and the week of April 14-17 it will be open from noon-2 p.m. or by appointment, creating opportunities for visits by downtown workers over their lunch breaks.
The show is free and open to the public.
jonathancrowl@dailynebraskan.com
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