Student Art in the Library 

About Student Art in the Library

Student Art in the Library showcases the artistic work of students at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne and provides points of visual interest in the décor of Helmke Library. The artwork from each exhibit will be preserved in mDON, Helmke Library’s digital archive, providing access to IPFW student artwork to those outside the library's walls.

Current Exhibit at Helmke Library

The current exhibition, which runs until October 2008, features the work of the Art Students League. See http://www.ipfw.edu/vpa/finearts/resources/organizations.shtml for more information about the organization.

Guidelines for Student Art In the Library

1. There will be two exhibitions each academic year, one in the fall semester and one in the spring semester. Submission deadlines are the first Thursday after Fall Break (in October) and the first Thursday after Spring Break (in March). Artwork should be submitted along with the necessary paperwork to the designated location. No late submissions will be accepted.

2. All currently enrolled IPFW students are eligible to submit up to three (3) pieces of artwork for consideration.

3. All artwork must be two-dimensional (paintings, photography, drawings, mixed media, etc.), be ready to be hung (with all necessary hanging hardware), and include the artist’s name, title of the work, and e-mail address or phone number on the back of each piece. Please note that all forms of two-dimensional artwork will be accepted for both exhibitions but the Fall exhibition will focus on photography.

4. Artwork must be appropriate for viewing by the general public, including children. Furthermore, artwork may be rejected based on the following:

• Discrimination or harassment based on age, race, religion, national origin or ancestry, color, gender, disability, sexual orientation, marital status or parental status
• Advertising of products or services
• Graphic depictions of violence or sex
• Excessive weight or dimensions of artwork

5. The following forms must be completed and submitted with each piece of artwork before it will be judged:

• The Student Art in the Library Submission Form (PDF).
• The Student Art in the Library Exhibition Agreement (PDF) stipulates that the artist agrees to leave their artwork on display during the exhibition period and to retrieve their artwork in the designated time period after the exhibition has ended.  It also prohibits the sale of the artwork on campus and releases Helmke Library, its staff, and the Student Art In the Library committee of liability if the artwork is damaged or stolen.
• Artwork chosen for an exhibition will be included in mDON, Helmke Library's digital archive. The artist must complete a Copyright Release Form agreeing to the permanent digital exhibition of their piece(s).
• Students are also requested to send a digital photo of each submitted piece of artwork to the Visual and Performing Arts Librarian at buhrd@ipfw.edu. If you are unable to create a digital photo of your artwork for any reason, please contact the Librarian by e-mail. Digital photos for artwork not selected for exhibition will not be saved.

6. Entries will be judged by the Student Art in the Library committee and all decisions are final. All artists will be notified by e-mail of the judging results. Artwork not selected for exhibition must be retrieved by the artist by the designated time or it will become property of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Student Art In the Library committee will also decide where the selected items will be exhibited in the library and the artwork will be hung by the committee members prior to the opening of the exhibition.

7. During the exhibition an informational card will accompany each piece of artwork. This card will include the artist's name, title of the work, weight, dimensions, medium, and inspiration behind the artwork if available. Prices cannot appear on the artwork or the informational card. While the artwork is on display at the library it cannot be sold.

8. The artist must accept responsibility in the event their artwork is damaged or stolen. Helmke Library and its staff and the Art in the Library committee will take reasonable care of the artist's work but will not be held responsible for damage or theft of artwork. At the request of the artist a security strip can be affixed to the artwork which will set off an alarm if taken outside of Helmke Library.

9. After the exhibition, artists must retrieve their artwork within the designated time period or it will become the property of Helmke Library. Artwork may be picked up by the artist at the Service Desk at Helmke Library with the presentation of a photo ID.

10. If you have any questions, contact Denise Buhr, Visual and Performing Arts Librarian, at buhrd@ipfw.edu or 260-481-5759.