Wonderwomen take over U of M
Exhibit displays art in a new light
February 5, 2015
For students looking for an alternative activity to escape the cold but still enjoy the comfort of the indoors, the University of Minnesota is offering a new and artistic way for students to explore one aspect of Minneapolis’ diverse art scene.
“Wonderwomen,” a group exhibition by women artists inspired or influenced by comics, animation, popular culture and related screenings is featured at Regis Center for Art at the University of Minnesota’s Minneapolis campus.
Presented by the Film Society of Minneapolis, the Katherine E. Nash Gallery showcases the work of local and foreign artists that portray women’s roles in society and popular culture through real and animated artwork and design.
According to gallery assistant and University of Minnesota student Amy Poburka, many students have taken advantage of this opportunity to look at women’s progress in a new perspective, while at the same time staying warm.
“Because of the temperature many students have taken the time to walk through the gallery, but most see it as an opportunity to explore something that they have not seen or experienced before,” Poburka said.
According to Poburka, around 50 visitors walk through the gallery every day, exceptional for a college art gallery.
“The number of people who have come through here every day is pretty constant, but during the opening we had around 450 attendees, which is extremely good for an exhibit like this, and it is a good sign of how people are beginning to notice art more,” Poburka said.
Sophomore Audrey Scalici said that although she only occasionally takes time to walk through an art gallery, the goal of the “Wonderwomen” exhibit makes it a more convincing to explore.
“I think it’s interesting and important that women are celebrated for their contributions to the art scene, which makes it more intriguing to visit,” Scalici said. Howard Oransky, director of the Nash Gallery, said the artists in the gallery were intentionally chosen because of what their works expressed about women in society.
“All these artists have great experiences of being women which they portray through their art,” Oransky said. “For each of them they probably have personal reasons for the emotions that they channel through their art.”
Oransky said he believes the true meaning behind the gallery is to give relevance to being a woman in all aspects of life.
“The works in the gallery give visitors, whether man or woman, an artistic experience of exploring what it means to be a woman,” Oransky said.
Senior Wesley Johnson said even though he does not visit art galleries very often, he thinks the promotion of women artists at the gallery advocates for the promotion and differences of art in the city.
“I’m not much of an art person, but I think [the gallery] bring diversity and change to the culture of art in Minneapolis that was not really noticed before,” Johnson said.
The gallery is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The address for the Regis Center for Art is 405 21st Avenue South E201, Minneapolis. The last exhibition date for the gallery is Feb. 14.
