Ann Frydrych, Rebecca Meyer, Sarah Gann, and Anna Goodloe, in front of their World War I exhibit in Pickler Memorial Library.  Photo Credit here and below:  Sara Orel.

Last semester (Fall 2014) Dr. Sara Orel taught ART 428:  Topics in Art History:  Museums and Collecting. Students in that class did a variety of projects as their major assignment in the fall of 2014.  We will highlight a few of these in the spring semester (many of them are available to view at a variety of locations across campus). 

First up is an exhibition curated by majors in Art History and History.  This exhibit, on view until the end of January in the space outside the coffee shop in Pickler Memorial Library, focuses on World War I and the experiences of Kirksville residents and university alumni in that War.  Items, including a tent used on the battlefield, letters home from the troops, and a piece of hard tack, are interspersed with items of clothing such as helmets and boots, as well as reproductions of war posters and poppies from the Veterans of Foreign Wars.  Although 1917 was the year the United States entered the Great War, 2014 is the centenary of the start of the conflict and Truman will be offering several events and courses to commemorate the hundred year anniversary.  This exhibition, designed and installed by students in an Art History class, is the first of that series. 

As a reminder, this exhibition in Pickler Memorial Library will close January 31, 2014 so hurry over to see it before then!

Boots worn by a soldier in World War I and poppies in memory of those who died.

 Art History student Lynn Koch admires her fellow students’ installation in Pickler Memorial Library.