Student art exhibit: opportunities for young artists
On March 21, 2025 Union Adventist University students had the opportunity to display their artwork at the Clements Noyes Art Gallery in downtown Lincoln. Students created these art pieces in Julia Noyes’s Watercolor and Acrylic Painting classes. It was displayed exclusively for the day, from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.. Students were also able to be present at the gallery from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to answer questions and interact with gallery viewers and patrons.
The building that houses the Clements Noyes Art Gallery is identified as the oldest art destination in the area. “It has been a hotspot for creatives since 1972, when it was known as the Haymarket Art Gallery.” The Clements Noyes Art Gallery is a “community oriented co-op style gallery.” They state that their goal is “to provide a professional setting in which artists can display and sell their art, connect with patrons, and connect with each other.” They maintain that everyone is welcome and share the idea that art should be affordable to people of all economic backgrounds. Professor Noyes shared more about Union’s connection to the gallery and the unique opportunity that this partnership provides for students. “We have this opportunity here through the gallery. I used to own the gallery and then I sold it to Dana Clements, my assistant, and she also wants to encourage the students.” The student exhibit was a one day show, however, there are over 100 other local and regional artists in the gallery, plus guest artists, that allow for changes every month with new artists constantly bringing in new work.
Professor Noyes shared more about her classes, her students, and her love of Union. “I love to teach and I love Union; it’s a great school. I’ve taught at lots of colleges, but Union has a very diverse population that come from all over the world. A lot of students have never painted before but have a mindset of learning and wanting to do things.” Noyes’ students come from different programs and different backgrounds, but many of them have art-related majors. Noyes values the differences that students bring to the table and reflects that appreciation through her teaching methods. “I encourage them to be creative and not have everybody doing the same thing… Some classes might be step by step and everybody has to do the same thing. That’s not my approach. I’ve taught at Union for many years now and I love everything about teaching, promoting creativity, and getting the students to see they can do these things.”
A gallerist, and one of Professor Noyes’ students, shared about their experience, “I always love my painting classes… I really love it. I use art as a kind of therapy and self-expression.”
Noyes summatively stated, “This is great for the gallery, it’s great for the students, it’s great for Union Adventist University, and it’s great for the art community to encourage our young people to go ahead and do this. To give them an opportunity to show at a professional gallery is really unheard of. It’s really very wonderful and unique. So I’m glad to be a part of that.” Providing a chance for students to get to experience the local community art scene for themselves and proudly display their creativity and hard work in a professional setting is a unique opportunity and another way that Union makes it clear that they care about student success and real world opportunities.
By: Olivia Sweet