Unions' Public Art Blog

View from East Entrance to Campus, University of Missouri , 1907 "Dear Friend (Miss Sadie Mapes): Am having a good time here this summer. Wish you were here too.--Ida" Academic hall, University of Missouri, Columbia Missouri , 1910s  "Mr. Raymond Cox: Quite a wonderful University here. Glad to get back to Jeff City again tomorrow & possibly on to N.Y. See you soon, Harold." Scene on the Hinkson, University of Missouri, Columbia , 1930  "Miss Elsie Chester: Helo Elsie. This leaves me feeling fine and dandy. Hope it finds you the same.Your Brother, John Chester." Read Hall, University of Missouri, Columbia , 1907  "Miss Vera Barnes: Came here over Sunday with Florence Trotter--great place; will write soon and tell you all about it. Saw a good game yesterday MU. 27-W. 0. Read Hall is where I'm at." The Campus, University of Missouri, Columbia , 1908  "Jessie Wilson: Hello! Jesse, I am having a fine time her...

I've been working on a seasonal display for the Memorial Union. For your viewing enjoyment, here are some fun images of Mizzou's snowy past! Click an image to enlarge it: In 1909 a Savitar poet dedicated a few stanzas to the sculptor of a Mizzou ice queen: "Cold, frigid, dead to all that's life/She stands with stately mien./Imploring her to be his wife,/He kneels before his queen." Savitar (1909). Mizzou women show off their snow boots, Savitar (1922). The queen of the winter formal and her attendees sit enthroned on a stage decorated with faux icicles and snow, Savitar (1923). "It is not often that winter comes to Missouri with such force as the pictures show, but when it does the students find great sport in playing in the snow," Savitar (1938). "Tigers bury Seahawks in the snow," Savitar (1943). After World War II, the G.I. Bill provided federal funding for veterans to go to college, surging enrollment at the uni...

Mental Health Art Exhibit   Director's Creativity Showcase Mental Health Art Exhibit in the Student Center's Lower Lair Lounge.                Columbia, Mo.—Sponsored by the Missouri Mental Health Foundation and the Department of Mental Health , the Directors Creativity Showcase features award winning art created by persons who cope with mental illness.  The exhibit will be on display at the MU Student Center, launching the University of Missouri’s 2 nd Annual Suicide Prevention Week (November 7-11).  Suicide is the 3rd leading cause of death for those between the ages of 15-24. Therefore, the Suicide Prevention Task Force, Wellness Resource Center and the MU Counseling Center will offer a variety of informative events during the week-long event.                          The Suicide ...

Sheila Hawkey and Kate Spencer (MFA student and post baccalaureate student, respectively), The Ladder to Success , 2011 , Fibers (silk organza, habotai, cotton, wool, and gold leaf) , Commissioned by the Unions Arts Council. Today I thought I would write a celebratory post! Artists Sheila Hawkey and Kate Spencer have completed a new public artwork for the Missouri Student Unions. Hawkey and Spencer developed the concept with MU professor and fiber artist Jo Stealey in Dr. Stealey’s Advanced Fiber course last semester. This newest addition to the Missouri Student Union’s public art collection was commissioned by the Unions Arts Council annual competition. Hawkey and Spencer working on the piece, photo credit University of Missouri Fibers MFA Program. After several months of anticipation, The Ladder to Success was installed on the main floor of the student center on the west side of the grand fireplace. For me, this work demonstrates the fact that, when done...