Bobbie Carey's "Beets" is on display in the Office of the Provost through September.

By Sarah Malczynski, student writer

Tamara Machmut-Jhashi noticed the walls were bare in the Office of the Provost. As the interim assistant provost but also an associate professor of art history, Jhashi proposed the display of student’s artwork on the walls of the office, located in Wilson Hall. One of her students, Bobbie Carey, a studio art major, had recently completed a painting that was simply going to collect dust in her attic. Jhashi suggested Carey’s painting for the walls of the provost’s office and Carey was only too thrilled to participate.

Carey’s oil painting has been hanging in the office since August. Her piece, titled “Beets,” is scheduled to remain on display through September. Carey describes her painting as “both aesthetically pleasing and disturbing.”

Jhashi plans to continue showing students’ artwork in the Office of the Provost. However, she expects that with the recent exposure of Carey's painting, more students will become interested in having their work displayed.

“A lot of people walk through our office every day. It’s good exposure for students and their artwork,” Jhashi said.

A competitive process may be instated for students who wish to have their artwork displayed in the future. Although full details have yet to be determined, a submission process will most likely be the preliminary step, followed by a jury selection comprised of art and art history professors. A monetary award for students whose work is chosen for exhibition is also being discussed.

Due to space limitations, at this time only two-dimensional pieces are qualified to be displayed in the Office of the Provost.

For more information on the student artwork display contact Tamara-Machmut Jhashi at machmutj@oakland.edu.