By Holly Klaft
Special to The State News
The blazing blue eyes of a child gaze out from a colorful canvas in front of Kresge Art Museum, contrasting the shadows of the trees.
"I like to do portraits and play with color and brush strokes," said Julie Gehrke, a studio art senior who created the painting.
Gehrke's painting was one of more than 20 art pieces displayed at the outdoor gallery Thursday at the third annual Art on the Path.
Table tops adorned with photographs and collages lined the sidewalk, and paintings propped on easels were set on the grass in a row.
Bundled up for the crisp morning weather, students bustled around, socializing and setting out their pieces while some passing students stopped to glance at the various works on their way past the museum.
The event took place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and was hosted by ASPIRE, a student art group affiliated with Kresge.
Art on the Path was founded by ASPIRE to generate an awareness of the MSU art community and offer any artist the chance to display their work, from paintings and photographs to collages and jewelry.
Charlie Nash, a Lansing resident and featured artist, said he is inspired from the things he sees around him. His collages are a surreal mix of pictures found in various media.
"It's life that's inspiring," said Nash, "not other art."
The 61 year old displays his art for the public in his home and found out about Art on the Path while distributing fliers at Kresge.
"I like doing things on the street, because then you're bringing the art to the people," said Nash. "I think it's a problem in western society that art is too removed from daily life.
"Art can help in healing and make a better world, but it gets too far away from people when it's shut in galleries."
Kelly Haehl, a no-preference freshman, sat at a long table near the sidewalk making and selling her hemp jewelry. Haehl is an ASPIRE member and was drawn to the group through her interest in art.
"ASPIRE's goal is to raise awareness for the museum," said Haehl. "But the group is also a good way to find other people interested in something you are."
Elizabeth Whiting, curator of education at Kresge, said it's great to get artists to collaborate and reach out to the community.
"It's important to know that art is for everybody, not just the art students," Whiting said. "Everyone should be able to enjoy it.
"It's important for MSU to have a vital art community — art makes our lives better."
