Montevallo's Newest Art Exhibit

By: Johnathan M Turnbow

   Most students would come to the library to prepare for finals, but one group of students made it their goal to attract students in a different way.  

   The University of Montevallo’s Art 327 class transformed Carmichael Library’s lobby into an art gallery for both the education as well as the enrichment of the Montevallo community.  

   The subject of the exhibition was no stranger to Montevallo’s campus though; former professor and student Virginia Barnes created all of the artwork on exhibit. 

About Virginia Barnes - Seen in Carmichael Library

  Student Elizabeth Byrd helped to organize the event and explain the significance of Barnes’s work. 

“This exhibit is Virginia Barnes print making works that she and her family have given to the university of Montevallo. We are really luck y to have been able to pick out nine beautiful works of her collection and have them here at Carmichael Library”

   Barnes works mostly focused on things like floral patterns, but also took life in other forms which all helped to make her art well known.

“Barnes was not only an accomplished artist but also an innovator, using multiple methods to bring make beautiful pieces of art like these.”

    But what separates Barnes work from other artists?  Art 327 Professor Catherine Walsh explained the impact of Barnes work both on Montevallo’s campus and in the art world. 

Tools used by Virginia Barnes

“Virginia Barnes was a professor at Montevallo for 20 years. From the early 1940’s through the 60’s. She was a painter and a print maker but was most known and celebrated through her innovative print making processes.

    Barnes used methods like screen-printing and a number of different techniques that pioneered the way for several artists today.  Students can find her work displayed in Carmichael Library until February 1^st of 2015.