SLU Students
March 8th, 2006What is it that makes an art institution so unapproachable to some people? Possibly the fear of being uncomfortable in a quiet situation, or maybe being faced with something they don’t understand. Whatever it is, a few students have taken the task of addressing the issue with their fellow students at Saint Louis University. The class has joined with Rachel and the Pulitzer in helping to put on a SLU event at the Pulitzer coming up on Saturday, April 1st, from 4:30pm — 6:30pm.
Being a part of both the SLU community and as a student and a piece of the Pulitzer puzzle as an intern and gallery assistant, I have noticed, as have many others, the barrier that is found at the crossing of Lindell Blvd., which separates the university from the Pulitzer. The class has been making the trek across Lindell since the start of the semester, and is now brainstorming ways in which to get the rest of the SLU community to follow in their footsteps.
With ideas ranging from an ad in the student newspaper to putting a pile of candy in the quad, these graduate and undergraduate level Pulitzer stars are looking for any way to bridge the gap between Washington Blvd. and Lindell. At the SLU event, the students and the Pulitzer hope to make the art and institution more approachable and accessible. With the students acting as docents to the visitors along side other gallery assistants, many of whom are also SLU students, the visitors are given an opportunity to discuss the art with their contemporaries.
By addressing the question of why an art institution seems unapproachable to students, these SLU students have found ways to connect the Pulitzer to their university. I hope more of the SLU community can conquer their fears and follow these students across Lindell to join us all at the event in April.
