Over the fall semester, Odum Library has showcased art throughout several floors of the library. Some of the more recent features included the Lamar Dodd collection, pieces from Amalia Amaki and most recently the Ross Rosenberg Collection.

On Oct. 28, the Odum Library will introduce these pieces and more as a gallery showing to students and faculty from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the library.

“Art in Odum” was introduced when Deborah Davis, archivist and director of VSU Archives and Special Collections, noticed that the library had enough art to fill up a museum.

Davis is also the chairwoman of the Library Art Committee. While Odum features many different sections like a Media Center, interactive classrooms, and a small museum of the fourth floor, the staff felt that it was only right to expand the library’s initial theme.

Other additions added to the library included the twelve new study rooms, a revised popular books section and more. Students believe that all the new changes including the art galleries are a refreshing take on traditional libraries.

“I believe some people will enjoy them,” Derek Blanchard, a junior political science major said. “The people that are really into art will, but people that are not really into art are just going to overlook them.”

Some students have overlooked the art entirely.

“In the library, a lot of times students just go in to study and go right back out, not to lolly-gag,” Ashley Moore, a junior psychology major said. “I think for the most part it is going over every one’s head.”

The Odum Library currently has two collections on exhibit. The Lamar Dodd Collection is featured on the north side’s first floor and features 20 paintings and prints from a variety of significant 20th century and a few 19th century artists. According to the Odum Library’s blog, Dodd has been described as “the most influential Georgia artist of his generation.”

Dodd, who was born in 1909 and died in 1996, studied at Georgia Tech and the Art Students League in New York before his first show in 1932. Most of his works included using oils, water colors and bright strokes of color to convey his love for the south.

The other collection on display is Amalia Amaki’s “For the Love of Books” collage. The collage was inspired by William H. Mobley IV who was a major supporter of book donations to the library. The art professor from the University of Alabama has worked over thirty exhibits in the states and hundreds of international exhibits through her career.

The piece, “For the Love of Books” was created with paper, paint, buttons and old books. The children are smile while holding books up and having corresponding books at the bottom of the work. The message in the work is to see all the treasures that lie right beneath you and an understanding about peace, love and hope.

The most recent collection is the Ross Rosenberg Collection is housed on the second floor and features 15 very big paintings and drawings, 15 very tiny drawings and two sculptures.