July 11, 2008
Former Coleman Center resident artist, Suzanne Hagood, and twelve of her Auburn University students will be exhibiting community art projects created this year in Russell County, Alabama. The show will be on display from July 11 to August 9, and the opening celebration will take place on Friday, July 11th, from 6 to 8 PM.
The student projects were completed as part of a university class on community-based art that Hagood created after her experience as a resident artist of the Coleman Center in 2007. The class visited the Coleman Center on a two day field trip earlier this year while learning about community based “new genre” public art.
Hagood’s students collaborated with Russell County community residents and area organizations, and the projects worked to express and strengthen community identity. The projects ranged from youth photography to community mosaics and stained glass. One project by Mandi Foran and Greg Leuch titled Laser Light Tag, gave community residents the opportunity to spontaneously draw pictures under the night sky. The artists developed a system comprised of a laser pen hooked up to a computer and projector. This project will be repeated at the Coleman Center opening. This playful approach to engaging in creative acts in community ran throughout the projects, which were warmly received by Russell County community members.
The show speaks to the power of art to strengthen and develop community through participation. Please come and join the fun!