Released: October 18, 2011 (Revised 11/3/11)
Lincoln, Neb. - Kyren Conley, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in studio art senior from Alliance, Neb., organized an exhibition of portraits and other works for women and children staying at Friendship Home, Lincoln's shelter for victims of domestic violence.
"Sights Unseen" is on display at the Nebraska Union Rotunda Gallery Oct. 17-21. A dinner and auction of the artwork will take place in the spring to benefit the Friendship Home.
The project was not for course credit, but represented a culmination of her work with Associate Professor of Art Sandra Williams in community arts.
"I was pushing her toward having a larger project and to do her own project," Williams said. "I mentored her along the way, but it was truly an educational effort on her part."
Seven Department of Art and Art History students, including Conley, Audrey Stommes, Allison Holdsworth, Ashley Schultz, Michaela Bradley, Anna Garcia and Lindsay Graef, created altered portraits of the residents of Friendship Home for the exhibition.
They also investigated the gaze between artist and subject within the wider context of the social issue: What does it mean when the artist and community take a look at this hidden population.
For more information, contact Associate Professor Sandra Williams at swilliams2@unl.edu.