TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Troy University’s International Arts Center (IAC) has worked to bring students and staff two new galleries as part of its rotating exhibits.

The two exhibitions are named “So Near, So Far” by Daniel White and “Transience: Trace and Erasure in Lost Landscapes” by Angel Fernandez and Winter Rusiloski. 

The art pieces consist of oil paintings, assemblages, statues, and abstract paintings.  

“Art is everything,” said Angel Fernandez, a sculpture and educator from Texas. “Art is life, the artwork that I make is my identity.” 

 Artists hope to not only share their artwork but also inspire students. 

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 “If it’s an art student I hope it inspires them,” said Daniel White, an oil painter and museum director from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. “I hope it helps them keep being creative and to express themselves. If it’s a person from the public I just hope they have a great evening and enjoy the work.” 

 The artists also hope their artwork will not only bring people together, but also shed light on the art itself and add meaning to the world. 

 “The arts in general like dance and music and writing, they’re all ways for us to express ideas, emotions, thoughts on humanity,” said Winter Rusiloski, a contemporary artist from Texas.  

 They also hope to convey other messages about labor, life, and childhood.  

“If their is one thing that viewers walk away with perhaps an appreciation for this soil that we share,” said Fernandez. “There’s a memory, there’s a history. It’s not always beautiful, it’s not always pleasant. But you know none of our histories I think are pleasant.” 

Students have their own perspective of the pieces ranging from philosophical to just enjoying the childlike nostalgia. Some even enjoyed the art solely because it looked funny.  

 When asked about her favorite piece, Makayla Allen, a senior art education major from Albertville, Alabama said, “Probably Sisyphus tires. That one’s just really cool, pointing back to like Greek mythology, and just that never ending battle with labor.” 

The rotating exhibits will be here until November. Guests interested in seeing the galleries can visit the international art center any day until then.