(August 17, 2023)
“Figuratively Speaking: Art Inspired by the Reece Museum Permanent Collection” is now on display at East Tennessee State University’s Reece Museum through Sept. 22. A reception is planned for Saturday, Sept. 9, from 1-3 p.m.
“Figuratively Speaking” is an exhibition curated and organized by Lyn Govette, a local
artist, curator and educator. Art teachers from Providence Academy and University
School mentored the project, and it began with Govette selecting artifacts from the
Reece Museum’s permanent collection that heavily feature or represent the human form.
Students, grades 10 through 12, from both Providence Academy and University School created their own works of art inspired by these selected artifacts.
“One of my greatest pleasures as an artist is collaborating with other people to create
art in the community, and it's especially a privilege to be able to reach out to the
youth of our community and offer them opportunities to display their creativity,”
said Govette.
Portraying the human figure is more than simply reproducing a likeness of a person
in a painting or sculpture, the museum said. It also captures and expresses the artist's
view of their subject.
These emotive artworks can generate sorrow, amusement, identification, empathy or even adoration. Artists, said the museum, continue to find inspiration in the figures of dignitaries, royalty, heroes, deities, saints and people they personally know. The 32 students featured in this exhibition have followed this grand tradition by submitting their artworks of the human figure.
“This exhibition provides students with a museum experience, and it also allows us
to share a unique selection of our art collection for young artists to engage with,”
said Spenser Brenner, exhibition coordinator at the Reece. “The Reece has a proud
history of working with local curators and educators to provide meaningful art experiences
to the region, and we are happy to continue that legacy with ‘Figuratively Speaking.’”
The university is part of a vibrant arts community, hosting dozens of concerts and exhibitions each year.
The museum is a unit of the Center of Excellence for Appalachian Studies and Services,
housed in the Department of Appalachian Studies. The Reece Museum is located on the
campus of ETSU and is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Follow the Reece
Museum on social media for more content and digital programming. For more information,
visit etsu.edu/reece or call (423) 439-4392.