 "Photo: Photo Courtesy/Leonardo DaVinci")
Club presidents recently welcomed a new club "Ekphrasis." The name of the club derives from a Greek word which means graphic.
When Emily Polhamus, Ekphrasis president and a senior majoring in art, realized that "students studying the history of art would graduate with a bachelor’s in art without ever having taken a drawing class," she felt compelled to join forces with others who felt the same way to found a club that projects the purpose of the word Ekphrasis, which is to "relate one from of medium to another by describing its essence and form, and by doing so, allow it to relate directly to the audience" since the incorporation of art as a new major in the Art Department.
"There is a very big difference between a Fine Art major and an Art History major," said Elizabeth McMahon, Ekphrasis vice president. The other driving force behind the formation of the club is the belief that "there are many students who do not just want to create a club where people can gather to appreciate art, but also a kind of training ground for those preparing to enter the professional world of art history."
"We want to help graduating students figure out what exactly they can do with their new degree," said Polhamus.
Upcoming activities include hosting guest lecturers from the fields of academia, museum curators and art gallery management, as well as trips to the many museums in the area. Polhamus believes everyone virtually has some fundamental appreciation for art. "That is why the club wants to expand that artistic appreciation and take it to the next levelby delving into just how much background there is behind even one work of art," said Polhamus.
Ekphrasis is scheduled to show the 2003 movie "Girl with a Pearl Earring" on March 23. The movie is based on the Tracey Chevalier novel and explores the mystery behind Jan Vermeer’s painting of 1665. Students seeking more information about membership, upcoming event, or would like to offer suggestions can send their ideas to wpuekphrasis@gmail.com.
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