Earlier last week, before Quad City was constructed, squirrels played merrily together in the quad, leaves upon the spacious trees began to change, hinting shades of yellow and red, leaving a sea of brown upon the fading green lawn, but natural art work adorned the quad from the Special Topics Art History class 391 as well.

In fact, the works of art were constructed from elements of nature, mimicking their study of the Andy Goldsworthy.

“We’re studying Andy Goldsworthy, a British nature artist who only used materials in nature,” said Dr. Eckerd, the teacher of Art History 391.

“That’s the assignment today.”

The assignment?

To go out into the quad and create works of art using only elements found in nature.

Projects ranged from a face creatively constructed on the sidewalk, using brown leaves, sticks and rocks; a circle designed form sticks, brown leaves, rocks and other elements found only in the quad; and a tee-pee constructed of sticks with green leaves and a dead bird in the centerpiece, found in the quad.

“This was on the spot. It wasn’t planned,” said student Robert Hopgood, Graphic Design senior.

“We just came out here and did this.”

He then added, “We would like to make an A.”

“I think it’s fun,” said student Sara McKee, a Graphic Design sophomore, who is in the same group with Hopgood.

Other students in their group included James Reynolds, a Graphic Design senior and Brandy Austin, an Art Education sophomore.

Student Nici Stout, also a Graphic Design senior, was responsible for the face creation on the sidewalk. “It’s a good class,” Stout said. “It gives you a lot of ideas and allows you to think of art in a different way. It’s fun and not really thought provoking.”

“It’s a good class for learning hands on,” said Dr. Eckerd, encouraging creativity and allowing students to see art, and their world, in a different way.

Soon, the elements of nature took over, Homecoming came and Quad city was constructed, but the images of a different kind of art will remain.

For more information regarding the Fine Arts Department and their areas of study, contact Dr. Eckerd located in the Fine Arts Department at ceckert@utm.edu or call (731) 587-0651.