Foster-Tanner houses faculty art exhibit

The Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery is now displaying an exhibition that showcases Florida A&M faculty’s various works of art.

The Faculty Art Exhibition is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Foster-Tanner Fine Arts Gallery until Feb. 21.

Liu Nan, a fine arts professor who has been teaching at FAMU for six years, has been painting for almost 30 years. Nan created a painting titled “Communication,” which is a vibrant colored piece that consists of African-American students on their cellphones and listening to music.

It shows the type of world students live in with today’s technology. Nan said his students were his inspiration for the piece.

“Outside of my teaching, I create my art,” Nan said. “Those are my students in my class. I know them, see them every day. I use them as motivation to create campus life. This is a series of student life.”

Yosalind Davilsaint, a third-year fine arts student from Deerfield Beach, Fla., said because she is an art student, it’s important for her to visit the gallery.

“When it comes to the professors in the art department, you can’t expect anything less than greatness because they’re always sure to surprise and wow you,” Davilsaint said. “I’m great at expressing myself orally, but I’m better at doing so on paper. I have always had a utensil in my hand, so drawing is my first love.”

Luther Wells, associate theater director, said he attended the opening reception to support his faculty. He also wanted to get an idea of how others view the world through art.

“I’m passionate about my work as an artist in creating life from the page to the stage, so I like to see what other people are doing in art and their expression of the world,” Wells said.

Aja Roache, fine arts gallery director, organized the artists to bring the artwork in and to get their statements on the showcase that she helped put together.

“I love making opportunities for artists to exhibit their work and being in museums and galleries,” Roache said. “That’s my thing.”

For more information, call 850-599-8755 or email famugallery@live.com.