The University of Saskatchewan is filled with art of all kinds and much of it goes unnoticed by students. In the time between classes, students are usually rushing to their next class or worrying about finding a place to eat or study, and often, the art that is on display is left unappreciated.

Here is a list of all of my favourite art pieces and galleries on campus.

St. Thomas More College: there is a small art gallery located on the second floor of STM, in the hallway near the Shannon Library entrance. The art is constantly changing, so it is good to get there every month or so to see the new displays. The current display features the art of Erin Sidloski and is dedicated to the beauty and diversity that Canada has to offer. These paintings are vibrant and colourful and definitely worth the trip to see.

The art around campus is definitely worth seeking out.

Arts Building: there are so many art pieces throughout this building, and taking the time to stop and look at them is really worth it. Some of the displays change, but there are many paintings that have been here for a long time. My favourite art piece in this building is “Blood Offering,” an etching done by Joe Toderian, which is located on the second floor, in the hallway across from the Neatby-Timlin Theatre. This piece is as bizarre as it is wonderful, and I recommend taking a look.

Edwards School of Business: there is a wonderful display in this building of Indigenous art from the Pacific Northwest Coast. The pieces are carved in different kinds of stone, and there are images of animals, people and all kinds of other things. There are also interesting blurbs on the walls about the art, which provide a history of the period each display piece comes from, and the ways that the artwork was used by the people living at the time each piece was made.

Education Building: in the Education Building, you will find a display dedicated to diversity and Indigenization at the university. Along with photographs of people and quotations celebrating diversity, there is a beautiful painting in the display that is uncredited. The two-wall spread is lovely to look at, as well as educational, and I highly recommend taking the time to see it.

Thorvaldson Building: this building is home to a collection of Barbie dolls dressed in period clothing from 600 BCE up until the 1980s, which is delightful to look at and worth the time to see.

However, my favourite art in this building is located in the stairwell. Between the first and second floor, there is an acrylic painting called “Metamorphosis,” by Heather Cline and Corinne McKay, that is absolutely stunning. The colours and composition of this painting almost seem to teleport you to another place, so definitely check it out.

Administration Building: in this building, you will find the Museum of Antiquities, which currently has a Magic Ancient and Modern exhibit, and always has something new and interesting.

The Admin Building also features the College Art Galleries and the Kenderdine Art Gallery, all of which always have amazing art displays. These galleries also host artist talks and receptions regularly. The current displays are Material Girls in the College Arts Galleries and Towards Action in the Kenderdine Art Gallery. Apr. 21 is the last day to see both of these displays.

Murray Building: the Murray Building, located next to Place Riel, is a surprising gem filled with student art. The Gordon Snelgrove Gallery is located within the Murray Building, with its main entrance opposite to the Murray Library entrance. Gordon Snelgrove showcases most of the art in the Murray Building, but there is also a plethora of great artwork located in other areas, too.

If you walk up the stairs, past my favourite art piece in the building — “Surrogate Family,” by Marcel Kerkhoff — you will find the Two Ninety-Two Gallery, which has a hallway full of breathtaking portrait photographs. If you want to discover art on campus, you really must explore this building — you will not be sorry!

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Lyndsay Afseth

Photo: Jeremy Britz / Photo Editor