USF’s Centre Gallery showcases exhibit on disability and accessibility
This month, USF’s Centre Gallery is highlighting accessibility through art.
Student artists were invited to create pieces that explore disability, inclusion, and accessibility.
The exhibit, titled “Art of Accessibility,” runs from April 7 to April 17 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Located on the second floor of the Marshall Student Center, the Centre Gallery is one of the state’s only student-run non-profit art galleries.
The gallery has been a creative hub since 1984 and allows students to exhibit their work and experience running a gallery.
Michelle Durant, an art director at the Centre Gallery, said accessibility was chosen as this week’s theme because of its “niche” nature.
“Very rarely in media, you see about accessibility or how difficult it can be to have resources for accessibility, and I believe this is almost seen as a challenge to show people this is how difficult it is,” Durant said.
She said she hopes visitors come in with an “open mind”
“I hope they can see from the artist’s perspective, see their story, hear what they’re trying to say and maybe even apply to their life and see what connections they can build off that,” she said.
Kaylee Ayres, programs coordinator for student involvement, says the exhibit is a chance to raise awareness of important topics.
Ayres said some of the pieces in the gallery include artwork on synesthesia, the deaf community and ASL and mental illnesses such as bipolar and anxiety disorders.
“The idea was spotlighting those things that kind of get overlooked and show how to make it more accessible to them,” Ayres said.
Durant said it’s important to have the Centre Gallery on campus because it showcases different mindsets.
“Sometimes we don’t like to challenge ourselves, and so to be able to see other people’s works and to see their art displayed in a place where everyone can have their say is to challenge yourself,” she said.
The gallery changes theme every ten days, giving new artists a chance to express themselves through their work.
Previous exhibits showcased artwork inspired by Women’s History Month, Black History Month and Hispanic Heritage Month.
Durant said she hopes the space can inspire students to keep making art.
“Plenty of students” who have graduated still submit their work to the gallery, she said.
But the gallery isn’t just open to artists.
Whether you’re an artist or just curious, the Centre Gallery is open to anyone looking for inspiration.
Students from other majors, such as psychology and science, submit to the gallery as well.
“We hope that we constantly continue to have their creativity side always showing,” Durant said.
Credits:
Anchor: Debora Gruenberg
Reporters: Debora Gruenberg and Ricardo Cuomo
Web Editor: Clara Rokita Garcia
Producer: Abigail Saxe
Assistant Producer: Tatyana Purifoy
Camera: Gracie Campbell
Audio: Sam Poulin
Tech Director: Carter Timmons
Teleprompter: Ricardo Cuomo
Editor: Paula Sanchez Ruiz and Luana Martins
Graduate Assistant: Grace Ficara
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephanie Anderson