Psychedelic textile work on display at UWSP’s Carlsten Art Gallery

A new exhibition at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point's Carlsten Art Gallery features work from Los Angeles textile artist Liv Aanrud.

The exhibition "Story Spun Slow" is open now and runs until Friday, April 17. An opening awards reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16. The gallery, located on the second floor of the Noel Fine Arts Center, is free and open to the public. Gallery hours are noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Aanrud's hand tufted textiles are an attempt to slow time, to anchor herself in relentless momentum. Each tapestry becomes a tactile record of her days, where repetition and the rhythm of making are a retreat from the world-an expansive space in which time opens for daydreaming. There is also time to consider the yarn itself as a continuous rolled up line that can become a soft stitched drawing that looks like a painting. Through intricate details and a psychedelic palette, Aanrud transports viewers to a dreamlike utopia, to slowly and joyously decode.

Aanrud, a Central Wisconsin native, earned her bachelor in fine arts in painting from UW-Eau Claire and her master of fine arts from Rutgers University. Her work has been featured in exhibitions across the United States, Europe and Taiwan. Aanrud also teaches at Santa Monica College.

The gallery will also host the "Art Student's League Showcase" from March 24 - Friday, April 3. Featured in the Schneider Student Gallery, Art Student's League (ASL) is a UWSP recognized and funded student organization. Its mission is to bring a new awareness of the visual arts to the campus and community. ASL hosts events each semester, encouraging students to look outside of the classroom for fun, challenging and professional arts-based experiences. Exhibiting ASL artists include Jasmine Brown, Ashley Cannon, Kenny Chytracek, Ashley Commons, Ian Dorheim, Emi Hanvold, Kaden Hoesley, Jay Julius, Maegan Labansky, Shannon Ortner and Maddie Wallace.

The Carlsten Art Gallery features a diverse range of exhibitions, from student talent to internationally recognized artists, with themes that explore topics relevant to our campus and Central Wisconsin communities. Carlsten is a space for engaging displays and community-driven events. As part of UWSP's College of Fine Arts and Communication, the gallery fosters an environment of creative exploration and academic excellence, guided by a dedicated team of faculty, staff and scholars.