Students often overlook Bonaventure’s own Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. However, it’s worth the time to take a walk through this campus treasure.
The Quick Center strives for diversity and keeps an ever-changing and fresh show selection in its galleries. It’s difficult to get bored in the adventurous Quick Center as a result.
Right now, the center hosts an exhibit called “The Picturesque Itinerary of the Hudson River.” This exhibit consists of etchings on loan from Fordham University.
John Rogers’ statues are also on exhibit in the Kenney Gallery. Bona’s should consider itself lucky to be able to have Rogers’ pieces.
Rogers (1829-1904), an American sculptor, was the Norman Rockwell of his time. For a few decades following the Civil War his lively, multi-figure tabletop tableaus, known as Rogers Groups, sold by the tens of thousands to middle- and upper-middle-class folks for about $15 apiece, according to a Nov. 8, 2012 New York Times article.
It might interest the Bona’s community to know there are other well-known names on display in the Quick Center.
The Salvador Dali exhibit, currently in the Front Gallery on the first floor, will be up until March 19. Students should hurry in to see the works of this famous surrealist because there are some mind-bending pieces on display. The Dresser Gallery also has works from the School of Rembrandt.
Students need to take advantage of having such a substantial art museum at their fingertips. Evelyn Penman, the center’s assistant director, says the center is “a good resource for papers and we try to have diverse exhibits with the interests of students in mind.”
Another student-friendly area in the Quick is the Loft. Located on the third floor, all it takes is a quick ride on the elevator or a stroll up the stairs to get to a cool place to hang out on campus. The area is open for students to schedule meetings, events or just hang out and study with friends.
Food and drinks are allowed and the room has proper seating, including bean bag chairs. If you’re interested in music, there is a piano open to anyone who wants to use it. The room gives students a welcomed refresher from the blandness of always going to the library.
The Quick Center’s staff wants to add vending machines to the Loft as well in the future to try to attract more students, Penman said. This can be a great convenience to hungry, time-stressed college students.
So what’s coming up at the Quick?
On March 20, Alicia Millane, a recent Rochester Institute of Technology graduate, will have a show in the Front Gallery. This exhibit will include her abstract photographs, and at a later date, she will be visiting campus.
Another exciting exhibit on the horizon for the Quick is a senior visual arts exhibit featuring Robert Prince. The show will open on March 22 in the Branch Gallery. There will be a brief gallery talk followed by a free reception.
“We are always open to suggestions from students on ideas,” Penman said.
Students can email quick@sbu.edu to give suggestions. If students want to be anonymous, they can bring suggestions to the front desk in an envelope.
The Quick Center has so many diverse benefits for students. It would be foolish not to stop in and take advantage of this rich resource.
This editorial represents the opinion of The Bona Venture staff.
