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Elijah Gowin ’90 (American, b. 1967)Into the Sun 40, 2009Archival pigment printGift of Malú Alvarez, Class of 2002 When I first laid eyes on this piece of artwork on the wall in Wall, I couldn’t help but be instantly transported to a place that’s practically a staple of the Davidson experience: Lake Campus, or as it’s affectionately known, Lampus. Now, let me clarify, I’m not saying this piece is a direct depiction of the campus itself, but rather, it evokes the exact feeling of being there. If you’re familiar with Davidson, you know that Lake Campus becomes a bit of...

Howard Finster (American, 1916-2001)Earth, Heaven, Hell, 1986Oil on board54 x 16.75 inchesGift of the S. Powell Bridges Family Howard Finster (American, 1916-2001) refers to himself by many names: a Preacher, a Second Noah, and a sacred artist. Originally a travelling preacher, Finster was painting a bicycle one day when a smudge of paint got on his finger. He looked at the smudge and a face appeared to him, calling him to make Sacred Art for God. Although the story has become almost myth-like in the Finster cannon, Howard Finster would go on to create over 5,000 sacred art objects after...

Richard Aberle Florsheim (American, 1916-1979)Bridge, 1977Lithograph on paper12.125 x 20 inGift of Lakeside Studio On a whim, I discovered Richard Aberle Florsheim's Bridge in the Van Every/Smith Galleries collection. Despite its gloomy, dismal mood, I felt captivated by its simplicity and its ambiguity, as if I was staring out a blurry train window on an unfamiliar, yet enticing, destination. This gray, grainy cityscape evokes a mysterious yet peaceful feeling and invites viewers into its rich, hazy atmosphere. Thin black lines denote a bridge with thicker vertical stripes forming skyscrapers in the background. Subtle reflections below the bridge posts indicate water,...

James McBey (Scottish, 1883-1959)The Doorway, 1925Etching on paper10.75 x 8.1875 inGift of John A. Welsh, III '59 As I first began to browse the Van Every | Smith collections in search of artwork reminiscent of my semester abroad, I sought a piece with some kind of not merely Italian, but Florentine quality. Not necessarily a depiction of the city or a Renaissance work, but instead a piece with some trait that whispered Florence, the city where I spent four cherished months. I imagined that perhaps I would choose a portrayal of architecture which brought me back to my apartment, with...