For the past three years, art historians Leah Sherman and Dianna Bradley have been at the heart of the Art in the Library program, a student-centered initiative that brings the visual and performing arts into FSU’s libraries. Program chair Sherman, an Art History doctoral candidate and FSU Visual & Performing Arts Librarian, and committee member Bradley, an Art History alumna (MA ’17) and Special Collections Metadata Specialist, bridge the department and the libraries through their work on the project. The program hosts visual art exhibitions, pop-up performances, and interactive makerspace events in Strozier Library and Dirac Science Library. Each event highlights the rich and diverse creative community at Florida State. The initiative not only provides students with a platform to showcase their talents but also reimagines the library experience for all visitors—challenging traditional assumptions of what an academic space can be.
In recent semesters, the Art in the Library program has mounted student-organized solo exhibitions and partnered with student-focused campus organizations to present collaborative shows. This fall, Strozier Library will host Life in Monochrome, an exhibition of street photography taken across Latin America, captured during one student’s study abroad experience with FSU International Programs. Meanwhile, Dirac Science Library currently features the 11th annual Art in STEM exhibition, a compelling display that explores the intersection of art and science through student photography.
Whether you’re an artist, a performer, or simply someone who enjoys the arts, the Art in the Library program invites you to explore and engage with the diverse artistic expressions within the FSU community. Applications are open for solo and group student art exhibitions, as well as pop-up performances. To learn more or apply, visit the Art in the Library website or contact Leah Sherman: LRSherman@fsu.edu.
