Environmental Art Exhibit Will Begin April 15

By: Ryan Sophabmixay '24, student correspondent

People often build connections with nature to find inner peace and beauty. In the process, a lot of content is created through photographs, video and artwork. However, a select few get the opportunity to display their creations to the public. To help give artists a platform they need, The University of Scranton will host the 2024 Environmental Art Show from April 15-24.

The Environmental Art Show will take place on the fifth floor of the Weinberg Memorial Library in the Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage room. The exhibit will be open to the general public from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. A virtual exhibit will also be available for those who cannot view the artworks in person.

The inaugural virtual exhibit took place in 2021. Marleen Cloutier, Art Show Coordinator and Cataloging and Metadata Librarian for the Weinberg Memorial Library, said the virtual platform was successful and helped continue the show during a time of need.

“Going virtual provided an opportunity to reach new audiences and to take a look back, documenting the history of past Environmental Art Show exhibits,” Cloutier said.

The 2024 artwork will be available beginning April 15. View current and past submissions.

The Environmental Art Show's opening event, An Artist Talk with Theresa O’Connor, will take place on April 15 at 5 p.m. in the Weinberg Memorial Library, Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room. The artist will discuss the use of sustainable and eco-friendly mediums to create her art pieces.

O’Connor’s passion for art began at a young age, when she drew inspiration from her mother. She studied interior design at both Arcadia and Marywood Universities and used academic experiences to hone her skills and further understand her artistic expression. 

“Throughout my journey, I've actively engaged in collaborative projects that have enriched my artistic perspective, including 'The Moth Project',” O’Connor said.

O’Connor described a defining moment in her career as the establishment of The Vintage Theater, a venue for the performing, literary and visual arts located for nearly six years at 326 Spruce Street in Scranton. There she served as the Visual Art Director and Founder. O’Connor’s role allowed her to curate her own artwork and help aspiring artists. She aims to evolve as an artist and hopes to inspire others with her artwork.

“Each brushstroke and creation carries a sense of hope, reflecting my dedication to the transformative power of art,” O’Connor said.

Commitment to Art on Campus

The Environmental Art Show is an annual event that occurs during The University of Scranton’s Earth Week. The inaugural show took place in 2010, after which is ran for 10 straight years before a one-year pause because of the pandemic. It resumed in 2021.

The show, which features artwork from students, faculty and the surrounding community, receives approximately 10 to 20 submissions each year in a variety of mediums such as artwork, photography, sculpture. The virtual art exhibit receives submissions from around the world.

“We have had some great submissions over the years. You can view images of some of our previous shows via our virtual exhibit 'Previous Exhibits' page,” Cloutier said.

“Last year’s guest speaker Stéphanie Williams, a Beekeeper, materials artist, and educator, created an art piece with our community on the day of her Artist Talk. Three of Stéphanie’s pieces that were displayed in the 2023 show are displayed on the third floor of the library outside of Media Services.”

This year’s theme “Creating Connections,” encourages participating artists to create art pieces that share their connection with either nature or a sustainable practice. When determining a theme, Cloutier considers all aspects of the show.

“I take into consideration the opening speaker for the Artist Talk, the University’s overall Earth Week theme, and the year’s Earth Day theme,” Cloutier said.

The art show aims to promote the natural beauty of our environment, as well as the many sustainable practices, through creative artwork. It’s also an opportunity for University students, faculty, staff and community members to relax and share their artistic views and abilities.