As pace slows, take a look at campus art exhibits

The pace of events on campus is slowing as the end of the semester nears. In other areas, things are barreling toward completing projects, finishing research and writing assignments, and preparing for final exams. Perhaps it’s time to hit the brakes and take a look at a few campus art exhibits before they, too, say adieu.

Katie Hudnall, the Art Department’s first Windgate Artist-in-Residence presents her exhibition, “An Indirect Path,” at the Arts Lofts Building, 111 N. Frances St., through Friday, Dec. 11. Hudnall is a woodworker, and these new works were created or completed in the campus woodshop during her residency (see page 1 for more on Hudnall).

She describes her work as stories told with salvaged materials. Her finished products can be functional pieces of furniture or things that are less recognizable. Some pieces move, have hidden compartments, telescoping drawers, sections that crank in and out, or bits that slowly unfurl from 10 feet to 18 feet.

Two terrific shows are still up at the Chazen Museum of Art.

“Nicola Lpez: Urban Transformations” is on view through Jan. 3. Lopez’ work ranges from small prints and collages to larger-than-life installations. “Urban Transformations” shows unpredictable cityscapes based on throwaways from our industrialized and technology-laden world. For example, a satellite tower resembles a tree; pipes and girders spill to the floor, where their contents feed flowers.

“Back in the World: Portraits of Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans” is also on view at the Chazen through Jan. 3. The exhibit presents color portrait photographs of Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans. Photographer James Gill took the photos as part of Wisconsin Public Television’s Wisconsin Stories project. The photos provide insight into the veterans’ memories and experiences, which they carry with them, decades later.

If you visit the museum on Sunday, Dec. 13, you can also hear the School of Music’s Pro Arte Quartet Afternoon Live from the Chazen. On Jan. 3, Faculty from UW–Whitewater will perform. Concerts are free and start at 12:30 p.m.

The Ebling Library, in the Health Sciences Learning Center, presents “Elegance in Nature, Photography by Colette Kolker Wagner” through Jan. 21. Wagner’s art photos feature water, leaves, fog, boats, lily pads, and sunrises and sunsets, capturing the beauty in natural landscapes. Wagner is also a scientist in biological and medical research.

While at the Ebling, check out “It’s Good for You: 100 Years of the Art and Science of Eating.” The exhibition is part of Go Big Read. The show explores the history of the food pyramid, Victory Gardens, diet advice and other food-related topics. The show is on display through March 31.

The Wisconsin Union Directorate Art Committee presents several early winter exhibitions in the Wisconsin Union Galleries through Jan. 19.

• The work of Lisa Koch combines the reflective and refractive properties of glass with other media to investigate mixing different flows of information, Porter Butts Gallery.
• Evan Baden’s photos deal with the youth and ever-present technology, Class of 1925 Gallery.
• A student-curated show is on display at the Lakefront on Langdon Gallery. The works are from undergraduates in the Art Department
• Thomas Ferella’s black-and-white photos of lake ice surrounding the isthmus are on view in the Theater Gallery.