Roots and Routes-Artistic Works by UNC Alumni
August 25th-September 16th
The Lydia and Robert Ruyle Gallery
”Where are we from? What are we doing? Where are we going?”
This show came full circle for me. Three years to the day of uprooting my life, “Grounded” was put on display at my university’s alumni exhibition. Three years ago I chose to dream purposefully and rebuild a life solo. “Grounded” is the first of my chakra series, this series took me two and a half years to complete. Greeley’s University of Northern Colorado is where I truly rooted into my creativity. It is the place where the artist I am today originated. Greeley also happens to be the town that my ex partner and I met. Are you seeing the full circle now?
I had the pleasure of getting to attend the reception of the show which was coupled with the official naming of the gallery, “Lydia and Robert Ruyle.” Upon walking into the new campus commons I was struck with awe. It was a lively event! The room was filled with lovers of the arts, students, professors, and patrons alike. There was live music, catered au d’oeuvres, and an open bar. Impressed doesn’t even begin to describe my reaction. I was grateful to see a professional gallery in a place where students of any degree can access the arts. There is something about universities that stirs feelings of pride and inspiration inside me. The air is thick with potential and desire to learn. “Do I want to go back to school?” I asked myself. Shortly after, the director of the art education graduate program suggested that I should. I was blushing.
The art of the exhibition was diverse and I felt the ease and desire to pause at each piece. The show displayed prints, paintings, jewelry, sculpture, collage, and pottery. It also featured a work by the woman the gallery was named after, Lydia Ruyle. She was a professor and an artist. She and her husband, Robert, left a substantial gift for UNC when they passed away, including a massive collection of Lydia’s artworks, totaling 500 pieces. Most importantly their legacy provides a full graduate scholarship for the Art and Design program! Upon my second walk through of the gallery I realized my piece was hung next to Lydia’s. It was an abstract print with complimenting warm tones. It was titled “Reaching” which seems to be a meaningful nod to my “Grounded”.
What a privilege to have received my BA of fine arts at the University of Northern Colorado. What a privilege to get to share the art I have created in such a phenomenal space next to other brilliant makers. I left that evening with deep fulfillment. I can’t wait to see where my series takes me in the coming days ahead. This was just the beginning.
