Intricate pieces of art and richness of color attract many students, whether they are on an assignment for their art classes or just walking by to take a look.

The art department is holding its annual fine arts faculty exhibition in the art gallery and is available for viewing from Aug. 30 – Sept. 24 where there are a considerable variety of artistic styles displayed.

Some of the art displayed include Jack King’s “Renaissance Portraits: one of a series,” to the more modern Russell McMillan’s “Duality Consciousness.”

Sharing a personal side

Co-director of the art gallery Michael Miller displays adages from his piece titled “Adage Apron,” which is a functional wooden chair filed with compartments, secret and otherwise, that are printed with adages from his

Intricate pieces of art and richness of color attract many students, whether they are on an assignment for their art classes or just walking by to spectate.

The art department is holding its annual fine arts faculty exhibition in the art gallery and is available for viewing from Aug. 30 – Sept. 24 where there are a considerable variety of artistic styles displayed.

Some of the art displayed include Jack King’s “Renaissance Portraits: one of a series,” to the more modern Russell McMillan’s “Duality Consciousness.”

Sharing a personal side

Co-director of the art gallery Michael Miller displays adages from his piece titled “Adage Apron,” which is a functional wooden chair filed with compartments, secret and otherwise, that are printed with adages from his childhood and have shaped him into the man he is today, Miller said.

“This work is a portrait of myself,” Miller said, as he shared the contents and readings from his piece.

Miller’s father was the one who introduced him to many adages that in turn, helped Miller to apply them to daily life, Miller said.

“My dad was always quoting these old adages,” Miller said.

“Smile and the world smiles with you,” is an adage that his father used to quote often, Miller said.

Family influences art

Miller grew up in the Appalachian Mountains of western Virginia and his art reflects the influence of his family and a religious group called Shakers, a Christian sect similar to Quakers in the sense of morals and quality crafts, Miller said.

In one of the drawers lies a replica of a Shaker box, it is oval shaped and nailed together with brass and nails.

“The shakers used brass nails because brass won’t rust or discolor the wood,” Miller said, as he went on to describe the great care and craftsmanship the Shakers used when crafting their products.

Miller has inscribed one of his favorite Shaker adages in the drawer containing the shaker box. It reads: “Do all your work as though you had a thousand years to live and as you should if you knew you must die tomorrow.”

Discovering novelties

“It is important to do quality work as well as to prioritize the work that you do,” Miller said.

Miller used a nontoxic, milk-based paint that he mixed himself on this piece, he said, and it must be used immediately or it will spoil because of the milk.

Miller’s art, unlike most art galleries, patron to interact with it; he invites people to explore his art to touch it, open it and experience it.