Dear Reverend Garanzini,
We collectively (Visual Communication III class) are graciously writing you regarding recent developments concerning the Edward Crown Center Gallery. It has come to our attention that the center will no longer serve as a gallery space for students, faculty, and the community at large. Consequently, Loyola University Chicago will be devoid of a gallery for the Department of Fine and Performing Arts.
The Crown Gallery is home to many exhibitions including the highly publicized Senior Exhibition. The Senior Exhibition gives every graduating art major a chance to showcase their artwork to family, friends, community and the university at large. The administration’s original plan was to provide a new and innovative gallery space housed in Mundelein, yet, there is nothing indicating that this plan will transpire.
As a diverse class writing you — mainly undergraduate art students, some returning adult Certificate students, some parents
reflecting on college funds, and some parents-to-be, we are highly disappointed with these choices made by the administration. What does this communicate to the Loyola community? What does this communicate to the world at large? What does this action communicate to young high school students considering enrollment at Loyola University? What does it communicate to their parents overseeing their children’s study, not to mention tuition dollars?
Art classes and art clubs have been phenomenal sources of learning, self-expression, and development of lifelong arts appreciation; more, they are the beginnings of careers to those who aim to succeed in the arts field. Loyola promises to “provide students with the opportunity to master the skills a
ppropriate to his or her particular discipline or profession.” Eliminating the only campus exhibit space available to students undeniably suggests a lost opportunity for current and prospective students. How can fine arts students realize “the full range of their potential” without the opportu
nity to display their work openly? This action makes the statement that the arts are a disposable aspect of academia. For parents investing in their children’s future, their tuition money would be better invested at colleges and universities who celebrate the arts and its impact, enjoyment, and study.
We encourage you to consider our concerns in this important matter. We invite you to an open dialogue in our classroom. Our voices deserve a chance to be heard, and we would appreciate an answer regarding this invitation. Our class meets Tuesday/Thursday between 10:30-12:30 in Mundelein Room 703. We are more than happy to work around your schedule.
Best Regards,
The class members of Visual Communications III
Please visit our website of our advocacy work:
http://savemygallery.blogspot.com/
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