FHSU UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND MARKETING<\/p>\n
HAYS, Kan. — When looking at the muddy water flowing through Big Creek, most people wouldn\u2019t think it\u2019s an ideal place to set up a pottery exhibit. However, Fort Hays State University\u2019s Herrick Smith decided to do just that when he waded out to install a giant vase.<\/p>\n
Smith, a second-year graduate student pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics, is one of 14 graduate and undergraduate students taking Installation and Exhibit Planning, taught by Linda Ganstrom, professor of art and design. The class focuses on how space, lighting, and environment influence the way people interact with exhibits.<\/p>\n
Smith grew up in St. Augustine, Fla., and moved to Hays after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of North Florida, Jackson. He decided to install his work in Big Creek, he said, because \u201cit just made sense.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI grew up near the ocean, so the water is definitely something I miss,\u201d said Smith. \u201cBy placing the vase in the creek, I was able to draw people\u2019s attention to something that I enjoy and make them look at it in a different way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Smith installed the vase near the bridge leading up to Gross Memorial Coliseum by placing cinder blocks in the middle of the creek and securing the vase to them.<\/p>\n
The installation was part of the class\u2019s first project: installing a piece of artwork on campus. In addition to Big Creek, pieces were installed in Rarick Hall, on Jellison Bridge and in trees in the Quad.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe class takes art out of the gallery and into the world,\u201d said Ganstrom.<\/p>\n
Students traveled to Castle Rock to do site-specific installations and will end the summer with the \u201cInstall and Exhibit Workshop\u201d exhibition, which will showcase students\u2019 work throughout the class. A reception for the exhibition is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 27, in the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art in Rarick Hall.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe class has been amazing so far,\u201d said Smith. \u201cIt\u2019s four weeks devoted entirely to making art.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have to do a solo exhibition at the end of my degree, so this class helps prepare me for that,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n