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AU library art exhibit highlights local artists

  • Published
  • By Joy Ovington
  • Air University Public Affairs
The Air University library is now displaying works of local painters.

Capital City Artists, directed by Judie Lee Hooks, have offered to semi-annually adorn the glass showcases in the Muir S. Fairchild Research Center lobby with original paintings.

The library staff celebrated the unveiling of the new April exhibit in the lobby on April 1. Several artists were available to meet and greet and refreshments were served.

Students and faculty from surrounding institutions are enjoying the current exhibit of 38 works of art and have commented favorably on this project. Mediums include oil paint, pen and ink, and acrylics.

Catalog librarian Helen Lehman said that the Air University library believes appreciation of the arts contributes to AU's Quality Enhancement Plan "3C," or Cross-Culturally Competent Airmen.

"While cataloging numerous items focusing on cultural awareness, my thoughts turned to the concept of bridging academia with the arts," she said.

She credits Carrie Springer of the library staff with coining the phrase "Culture through Art" and setting the exhibit's wheels in motion. It was imagined that through bringing in the creations of this artistic group of Montgomerians, military students, faculty and staff might realize a partnership or connection.

Dr. Jeff Luzius, director of the Fairchild Research Center, said he thinks the artwork looks great in the lobby. "It offers a very nice change of pace to our usual displays."

Capital City Artist and former executive director for Partners in Education Hannah Williams said the students who pass through the library lobby would invariably feel uplifted by the beauty of the art.

"Art is really a universal language," she said. "We're giving students here a taste of the place that they've come to spend a part of their career in."

Another artist, Brock Parker, said he was encouraged to paint at a young age by his uncle Maj. Gen. James Parker who was once a pilot in World War II. "I think he'd be pretty proud."

Capital City Artists are committed to organize spring and fall exhibits at the AU library, lasting two months each. At the end of the first month in each exhibit, the artwork will be changed and a new group of paintings displayed.

The April exhibit is the first semi-annual art exhibit and will run throughout the month.