Art to Appreciate in Davis
In my experience as an Aggie, I have learned that UC Davis and the city of Davis are hubs of art. Campus is booming with art from the Manetti Shrem Museum to the eggheads sprinkled around campus, and to the works of art situated outside lecture halls and sidewalks. Students and visitors can enjoy art on campus and in town for free. Here are some of the art attractions you should take the time to see.
Manetti Shrem Museum and Shields Library
The Mannetti Shrem museum is a UC Davis attraction every Aggie should experience at least once as part of their college experience. There are new exhibitions introduced throughout the year, exposing people to various artistic voices and visions.
Shields Library could be considered a museum. All four stories of the library display wonderful pieces of art on their walls. Next time you are at the library, take a break from your studies, look around you, and be amazed.
Design Museum
The UC Davis Design Museum is a hidden gem on campus many Aggies might not know about. Situated inside Cruess Hall in room 124, passersby might mistake the museum as one of many classrooms inside the building. However, those that venture inside will be pleased to find a room full of beautiful and interesting art.
New exhibits are introduced each quarter, allowing students to view a variety of artworks throughout the academic year. “Guardians: Spirits of Protection” is the current exhibit on display at the museum. The installation was created by Ann Savageau, professor emerita of design at UC Davis.
Recognizing and understanding the personal hardships and global difficulties that individuals face on a daily basis, Savageau sought to create art that exudes positivity, healing, and unity. The art exhibit is composed of ten sculptures, or guardians, situated in the room in a half-circle. One can feel an odd sense of comfort by sitting on the bench that faces the beautifully detailed sculptures. The art exhibit is a reminder that we all have the potential to mend the broken pieces of our life to create something stronger and new.
The exhibition is open to the public through April 24. Visiting hours are 12 p.m to 4 p.m.
Outdoor Exhibits at the Arboretum
Other than beautiful nature and sights, the UC Davis Arboretum occasionally hosts open arts installations throughout the year. Currently, there are three art installations on display at the Arboretum courtesy of two UC Davis MFA design students. The installations are a poetry path, reflection bridge, and dakhil.
The poetry path is made up of poems written by the UC Davis community, displayed on tiles, and placed to the north of Lake Spafford. The reflection bridge is made up of hundreds of yellow fabric pieces with wishes and messages from the community. This installation is located near the Wyatt Pavilion. Dakhil, the most colorful of the installations, is based on an ancient pre-Islamic Iranian tradition where people write their wishes and prayers on strips of cloth, which are tied to the tombs of saints or to sacred trees. Arboretum visitors can see multicolored pieces of fabric with messages written on them hanging from a tree next to Lake Spafford.
All three installations are meant to signify symbols of hope and comfort for the community. They will be on display through April 30th.
John Natsoulas Gallery
Only a few streets away from campus at the intersection of 1st and E St is the John Natsoulas Gallery. Visitors can enjoy interesting art on every wall, around every corner of the building, and even on the staircase and bathrooms. On the second floor, people can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea, browse shelves for books and magazines, as well as have the opportunity to play and listen to the piano. If you follow the staircase to the last floor, you’ll find yourself in a rooftop sculpture garden. Here you can lounge around in comfy sofas and lawn chairs, watch the sunset, or peek down at the lively downtown.
Take advantage of the amazing, cost-free attractions and explore the artistic side of campus and town.