VSU opened its third art gallery, Cute & Creepy, for the 2017-2018 season on Oct. 16 to get people excited about coming to the gallery.

Cute & Creepy is open to the public, and the gallery showcases nonlocal artists. The art in the exhibit are grotesque and contemporary ranging from sculptures to drawings.

Originally the exhibit began at Florida State University by artist and curator, Carrie Ann Baade, an associate professor of art at FSU. Now, with the persuasion of Julie Bowland, gallery director and professor in the Department of Art and Design at VSU, Cute & Creepy has made its way to Valdosta.

“I thought students would really respond to this art,” Bowland said. “Young people can relate to it and enjoy it, and I thought it would be a way to bring in students and show them that art is fun.”

The gallery features the work of 7 different artists all specializing in different art forms. Each artist sent VSU three or more pieces of art. It features art from Carrie Ann Baade, Kelly Boehmer, Lori Field, Laurie Hogin, Jessica Joslin, Chris Mars and Chet Zar.

“I just thought it (Cute & Creepy) was really unique because its several artists bound by this one theme,” Bowland said.

Since its opening, Cute & Creepy has had plenty visitors from all over Valdosta. According to the visitor record at the gallery, there have been more than 50 visitors per day.

“A lot more students really like the show, but I do see some adults too,” Chantel Louis, the gallery assistant, said.

On opening night, more than 200 students, faculty and locals came together to visit the exhibit. They had the opportunity to enjoy the uniqueness of the artists and their works.

Bowland intentionally chose the Cute & Creepy art exhibit to come to VSU in October to go along with the theme and celebration of Halloween. She even encouraged visitors to dress up in costume for the opening.

The exhibit is beautiful because the work is surreal and like nothing I’ve seen before. I spent a lot of time staring at each art piece in awe because it was so out of the ordinary. I encourage everyone to try and visit the exhibit when they can before it leaves. It will be an unforgettable experience.

Anyone interested in visiting the gallery can find it in the Dedo Maranville Fine Arts Gallery in VSU’s Fine Arts Building. The gallery is open Mon.- Thurs. from 8:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 8:30 a.m.to 3 p.m.

Story and photos by Destini Jones, Staff Writer. 

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