Lindsey Wilson University student Atavya Fowler '26 brought a slice of the Caribbean to Columbia-Adair County while also "bringing the arts to the people."
The art major organized the first LWU Art Walk, held on Thursday, Nov. 6, and featured 28 original pieces by 13 Lindsey Wilson student artists. Set under an azure sky and golden autumn sun, the display included paintings and sculptures that were exhibited along the sidewalk that cuts through the university's Campus Quadrangle.
Fowler said she was inspired to organize an art walk on campus because of a similar project that's held almost daily in her native Bahamas.
"You get to examine the art, experience it and buy things," said Fowler, who is from Nassau, Bahamas.
She said that in the Bahamas, "it's a way for bohemians to sell art to tourists."
"I started to think that because we only have a student art show once a year, this would be another good way to display student art," said Fowler.
Artworks displayed at the LWU Art Walk weren't for sale, but they can be purchased at a fall market that will be held from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. CT on Nov. 19 in the university's Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship.
Fowler, who had two pieces in the LWU Art Walk, said she hoped the very public display of the artworks will shine a light on the university's art program and elevate an appreciation for the arts in general.
"I want more people to realize that Lindsey has a great art program," she said. "Art is meant to be shared, and sometimes it can be hard to bring people to the arts. With this event, we're bringing the arts to the people. I'm so thankful to have had so many classmates eager to share their work."
Lindsey Wilson art instructor Karly Flynn '17 said she was proud of the initiative that Fowler and other art students took to set up an art walk, especially because it was not part of a class assignment or project.
"I love that it was all student-organized," said Flynn, who designed the event's posters and handbills. "It gave them a chance to take ownership of their art and create their own narrative. It was neat to see them reach out."
By: Duane Bonifer
