The Art Around Us

Jan 3, 20242 min read

Quilt from the Wade Hall Collection in William T. Young Library on Wednesday, Sep. 20, 2023, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Sydney Turner

From vibrant oil paintings and watercolors embellishing university building walls to

thought-provoking sculptures students pass on the way to class, art installations not only decorate the academic landscape but also create an inspiring, culturally enriched campus environment.

“Having art in people's lives in general, whether it be a centerpiece in your common room or a painting in your classroom building, is so important because it helps the community that the

organization is in be better represented and connect everyone together,” said Eman Robele, a sophomore arts administration and art studio double major.

STORM CAT

One cannot enter William T. Young Library, located on the University of Kentucky’s central campus, without encountering William T. Young and his great stallion, Storm Cat. Near the circulation desk on the first floor, Young and his stallion are represented on the Overbrook tapestry. The tapestry is a 200-pound, 12-foot and seven-inch tall and 22-foot wide masterpiece with over 700 colors.

According to UK Libraries, this grand artistic creation was designed at a loom by visionary Swedish textile artist Helena Hernmarck, known for her signature ability to translate real life images into the intricate medium of hand-woven yarn and wool tapestries.

“Having art in our buildings like the library leaves students with the knowledge that someone put their hard work into that and there is a story behind the piece,” Robele said.

Storm Cat serves as a reminder of businessman William T. Young, who gave the largest cash donation by an alumnus to the “Willy T.” library in the amount of $5 million.

The Overbrook tapestry in William T. Young Library on Wednesday, Sep. 20, 2023, at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo by Sydney Turner

WADE HALL QUILT COLLECTION

On the fifth floor of William T. Young Library, a grand display showcases a collection of 64

distinct quilts. The oldest of the collection is from 1860 and adorns the wall in the south wing of the library. Over time, most of the quilts, of various sizes and designs, have aged with stains, rips and weathering, making each truly unique.

These quilts were collected and purchased in the surrounding areas of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois by author and professor Wade Hall, according to the UK Libraries website. Hall was an avid collector, sharing and contributing to the ever-growing historic art installations at UK.

SINGLETARY OUTDOOR SCULPTURE GARDEN

The Otis A. Singletary Center for the Arts, located on north campus, contains the UK Art

Museum and hosts artistic, cultural and educational events. Singletary is home to many

artworks including an outdoor sculpture garden. The garden features two works by Peter Woytuk, one by Albert Paley and one by Tony Tasset.