Gallery endorses student art

A wedding, a pie-eating contest and a checkers game all have something in common.

They've each been featured as part of a unique art exhibit on campus, Tom Thumb.

Tom Thumb is a student-produced and run art show with galleries, music and conceptual art that begins April 13 and is open from 7 p.m. to midnight. It is being put together by volunteers from The Monitor, an alternative campus publication.

Junior Julie Pincus participated in Tom Thumb her freshman year. She also is submitting art for this year's exhibit - a painted portrait of her roommate.

"I missed the deadline last year, but I'm looking forward to submitting art again this time," Pincus said. "It was a really good experience."

She said she enjoys Tom Thumb because of the variety of art.

"There's a large range of different pieces and mediums," Pincus said. "The open submissions make it really interesting."

Pincus is referring to Tom Thumb's policy to accept almost any type of art into the exhibit.

"Anything and everything is up for grabs," said junior Ben Dansby, who is helping coordinate the event this year.

He also has participated in the event for the past three years.

"The great thing about Tom Thumb is the openness of it," Dansby said. "Everything is available and acceptable. Nothing is restricted in any way."

The event targets Truman students, although anyone can participate. Dansby is submitting photography and a self-produced movie.

Although there are few restrictions, Dansby said there have not been especially strange submissions yet this year.

In previous years, Dansby said a variety of conceptual pieces and other sources of entertainment have been submitted, including a pie eating contest and even a wedding.

This year, entertainment includes musicians, comedic acts and student-produced movies. Other items that will be included at the exhibit are paintings, drawings and sculptures.

Freshman Andrea Bailey said she likes the idea of Tom Thumb, but she doesn't think she has enough time to contribute to it this year.

"It's a good place to have your art seen by the public without going through the University," Bailey said.

Tom Thumb is a floating art exhibit, which means the exhibit does not have a traditional location.

This year, the exhibit will be at the Kirksville Arts Association building on Franklin Street off the Square. Last year, the event was at the Historic Washington School.

"This year would've been the third year having it at the school, so having it there again would counter the idea of Tom Thumb as a floating exhibit," Dansby said.

The tradition of the show has expanded to include more art and entertainment.

"It's a showcase of creativity," Dansby said.

Tom Thumb began in the fall of 1998 when then-sophomores Jimmy Kuehnle and Kjell Hahn said they felt a need to have an alternative to the mainstream campus art show.

"The only place to show art was at the student gallery once a year," Kuehnle said. "We wanted more freedom."

One of the main problems with the annual student gallery was only being able to show one piece of art, he said.

"You can submit as much as you want or even improve art while it's on display," Kuehnle said.

Both said they were proud Tom Thumb has become a University tradition.

"We don't know the people putting it together, but we think it's pretty cool, and we're excited about it," Kuehnle said. "It shows that people still have a desire for an alternative art show."

Hahn, who now lives in Japan, said he also appreciated the relaxed environment compared to the campus exhibit.

"Tom Thumb is a place where you're not constrained or judged," he said. "You can do whatever you want."

Hahn said part of the reason he was involved with Tom Thumb is because he is an art activist.

"Hopefully everyone that participates will continue art after college," he said. "Keep at it, and you'll never regret not."

The Monitor still is accepting submissions for the gallery and will continue accepting them until Wednesday. Those interested in submitting art should contact Dansby at [email protected].