Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Joan Miro…… can you imagine waking up to their artwork every morning?
In February of 2022, the Van Every/Smith Galleries first launched ArtMate, a program that brings high-end artworks to students’ bedrooms. Widely acclaimed by students, ArtMate returned this semester with even more works, more eligible residence halls, and more participants. Gallery staff and interns selected over 100 pieces—expanded from the 80 pieces last year—out of the 4000 works in the college’s permanent art collection. The pieces selected span centuries, regions, and genres to provide a variety of aesthetics for students to choose from.
The Process
The first 100 students (if living in select residence halls) signed up through a google form. Students could then browse works on the galleries’ website and through a QR code in the gallery. All of the artworks were then installed in the Smith Gallery, so students could walk through and see available pieces in person.
The Event
The event officially started at 4 pm, but a line started at 3pm, with dozens of students already lined up for an early number. Each student got an assigned number to put on the label of their chosen artwork, almost as if students got to purchase artworks with their little red dot. The first student, Cooper Oljeski, came almost an hour early to get Moustachus Mysterious, a dark, existentialist print by artist Armen Eloyan.
Some students came with a specific artwork in mind, while others picked their piece after seeing it in person. Senior Ella Stewart had to come to the event later because of work, and sadly her favorite piece was already selected by someone else. However, after she walked around the room and looked through all the remained artworks, she was attracted by a monochromatic photograph of a dead tree by Eugene Atget. She said that this picture jogged her childhood memory of playing with friends by an old tree. No matter which way students picked their piece, every student was more than satisfied with their choice.
The Van Every/Smith Galleries installed artworks in student rooms all last week. It has been very fulfilling to see so many precious works from the collection be hung in places where they get to be admired every day. The galleries look forward to continuing ArtMate for years to come and putting art in its rightful place – where it can be seen.
If you are interested in ArtMate or would like anymore information, you can email Marisa Pascucci at mapassucci@davidson.edu.
You can also check out our article on last year’s ArtMate here: https://www.davidson.edu/news/2022/02/22/hello-dali-artmate-lets-students-add-upscale-touch-dorm-decor