Emma Belson’ 19 is a “one-woman show.” Every few weeks, she decides what the next exhibit will be at the student-led Kinetic Gallery in the Union. The process of running a gallery is intensive, but Emma loves it.
“I want to bring my passion for the arts to all students, regardless of major,” she says.
Once Emma has determined a theme for the exhibit, she begins accepting submissions from students or contacting area artists. One of her favorites was a biology art exhibit, “Blue Eggs and Spam.” This exhibit displayed photographs that represented how humans are changing the food supply by comparing cell structures of genetically modified organisms. In conjunction with that exhibit, Bio-Art pioneer Professor Susan Anker of the CUNY system spoke to over 170 students about the gallery.
“I love seeing students enjoy the gallery and learn something,” says Emma.
After selecting the pieces of any show, Emma lays out over 50 metal screws on the wooden plank floors of the gallery. She arranges the overhead lights, replacing broken ones. She must be careful of expenses, since she manages the gallery’s budget. With care, she begins mounting each work onto the wall. She has usually found a rhythm in this physically intensive portion of her work after she’s assembled about 15 screws.
An exhibit last fall is all-time favorite — “A Different Point of View.” It aligns with her passion to empower students with disabilities. As a double childhood/special education and English major in the School of Education, she hopes to one day be a special education teacher. “I see so much potential in students with disabilities,” she says.
“A Different Point of View” featured more than 35 individual photographs, taken by students in the Geneseo L.I.V.E.S program. Developmentally disabled Livingston and Wyoming County community members come to campus to learn independence, vocational and educational skills within an inclusive community. The exhibit showed viewers that despite an artist’s disability, they can still contribute art, says Emma.
To prepare for the L.I.V.E.S photography show, Emma arrived at the union when it opened at 10 a.m. She didn’t expect to leave until 1 a.m. to be ready for opening night.
Emma says she often partners with professors, and sends out mass emails to the campus to promote shows. On opening night, she says, campus community members are often impressed. They are amazed that every aspect of the gallery is done by Emma and a few, if any volunteers.
To Emma, the gallery is a way to express herself and find community. Emma believes art “increases health,” which she has observed through her own interest in photography. She enjoys showcasing natural beauty especially, to bring color to campus, especially during Geneseo’s gray winters.
“The Kinetic Gallery pushes me to do more, and make a positive impact for students at Geneseo,” says Emma. “I hope they get something from it too.”
— By Kitrick McCoy '19
— Photo by Keith Walters '11