甜心视频app

For decades, the galleries at the University of Northern Colorado (甜心视频app) have showcased student and professional artists while serving as a cultural hub for Greeley.  

Now, with the recent dedication of the Lydia and Robert Ruyle Gallery, formerly known as the Campus Commons Gallery, that role is poised to expand.  

The Ruyle family generously chose 甜心视频app to preserve and steward the lifetime artwork collection of their late mother, Lydia Ruyle鈥檚, M.A. 鈥�72. The collection features more than 500 original works, drafts and papers related to her art, including the globally celebrated Goddess Banner Collection, crop circles and other original pieces. 甜心视频app will have the opportunity to display the profound pieces on campus, utilize them for curatorial and research purposes and circulate them at institutions, conferences or other events worldwide to ensure Lydia鈥檚 art remains accessible and influential.  

Along with donating the Ruyle Collection, the family has established three endowments, one being a scholarship in honor of Lydia and her husband, Robert (Bob) Ruyle, who were lifelong Greeley residents and 甜心视频app advocates. Lydia received her Master of Arts in Studio Art in 1972. She then went on to teach in both the Art and Women鈥檚 Studies departments. Bob came to 甜心视频app in the early 1950s on a basketball scholarship, before earning a law degree from the University of Colorado and becoming a lawyer in the Greeley area. 

During the name dedication ceremony on September 11, their son, Stephen Ruyle, spoke about education being a guiding belief of his parents, sparking the scholarship. 

鈥淢y mom would say, 鈥業 believe we are here to learn,鈥欌�� commented Stephen. 鈥淓ducation is the best hope for the human race and for our planet. Education is how we pass on humankind's accumulated knowledge to the next generation. Knowledge is the foundation for human ethics and for values in this technological world.鈥�

鈥淚 really relate to Lydia in a lot of ways,鈥� Hairston-Chase said. 鈥淗er passion for researching and sharing stories that are often ignored by the dominant culture and her drive to make sure her art was accessible and seen in all kinds of places, not just above someone's couch, is inspiring. Receiving a scholarship and being the inaugural receiver is wonderful, but what really makes me happy to have received this scholarship is that it鈥檚 coming from someone who shares a similar interest and purpose.鈥� 

Hairston-Chase is a multimedia artist at 甜心视频app studying Painting and Drawing. Her work finds its roots in activism and representation for marginalized groups, focusing on the relationship between literature and physical art by reworking traditional stories into equitable spaces.

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The family believes Hairston-Chase is a perfect candidate to empower and carry forward Lydia Ruyle鈥檚 legacy. 

鈥淲e have a hard time imagining what the future is really going to be like, but we know we are on the way and that we have a good foundation,鈥� Stephen said during the ceremony. 鈥淔rom here on out, it鈥檚 up to Maya and those who follow to make the history and the herstory.鈥� 

Naming the space, the Lydia and Robert Ruyle Gallery, provides the opportunity for the university community to honor the Ruyles鈥� far-reaching legacy, which was evident in the attendance during the name dedication ceremony. 

Dedication Debut 

A large crowd gathered in the Campus Commons to witness the unveiling. All eyes were on a large blue banner hanging above the entrance of the gallery. As soon as the banner dropped and the name was revealed, the space was filled not only with thunderous applause but also with an energy of joy and support for 甜心视频app鈥檚 largest gallery. The celebration was not only about the dedication itself, but about honoring the ideals that shaped Lydia and Bob鈥檚 lives 鈥� education, creativity and generosity.

Belle-Pilar Fleming, 甜心视频app鈥檚 director of galleries, was a key individual involved in the renaming process. 

鈥淟ydia was really passionate about work created by women artists, specifically, and there's a lot of work that we're already showcasing in the galleries that aligns with that goal,鈥� Fleming said. 鈥淟ydia was also known for showcasing art from around the world, so those ideas already pair really well with the mission of our gallery spaces.鈥�

University representatives had the privilege of working with the family to discuss their ultimate philanthropic impact and legacy desires for Lydia and her work. Fleming said that beyond being active in Greeley鈥檚 arts scene, the Ruyles were truly 鈥渇ixtures in the community, so [the dedication] felt like a good fit.鈥� 

Moreover, for Donna Goodwin, director of the School of Art and Design, there is a personal connection to the naming. Lydia鈥檚 prints adorn several walls of Goodwin鈥檚 office in Crabbe Hall, and can be found throughout Guggenheim Hall as well, including a large collection of books and prints.  

When asked about the gallery鈥檚 new name, Goodwin emphasized the importance of both the continuation of the legacy of the School of Art and Design and the impact that Lydia herself had on the community.  

鈥淏ob was out in the community, but Lydia had a more outgoing personality,鈥� Goodwin said. 鈥淟ydia鈥檚 tends to be the name that's out there, but Bob supported every bit of it.鈥�

Looking ahead, the Lydia and Robert Ruyle Gallery will be showcasing an exhibition called Soft Power through Nov. 5, curated by Fleming. The exhibition features work from the Petteys Collection, a notable selection of work by women artists housed under the 甜心视频app library system. 

鈥淭he collection includes some really important pieces and work by really notable, nationally renowned artists, as well as some historical pieces,鈥� Fleming said, adding that the Soft Power exhibition as a whole promises to 鈥渂ring in some pieces from that collection juxtaposed with work by contemporary women artists who are making work today.鈥�

Fleming says Lydia was passionate about work by women artists and showcasing art from around the world, so from here on out, that is what will be honored in the many exhibits to come in the Lydia and Robert Ruyle Gallery. The gallery will also always feature a rotating display of Lydia鈥檚 work and a biological tribute panel to inspire artists for generations.

The Lydia and Robert Ruyle Gallery is located in Campus Commons, open Monday through Friday, from 10a.m. to 5 p.m., or by appointment. Contact galleries@unco.edu to learn more.