A studio art exhibition spanning a variety of mediums is currently under way, but one common thread ties it all together: All eight of the artists are former professors from UT’s Department of Art and Art History. 

The exhibition, aptly titled “Compound Interests,” is open for viewing at Gallery Shoal Creek on East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard from now until Sept. 14. 

One of the artists, Lawrence McFarland, is former UT photography teacher of 28 years. His portion of the exhibit includes four images forming a group titled, “Celebration of the Sun.” 

“The sun is the most powerful force to interact with the Earth,” McFarland said. “If we did not have the sun we would not exist. I hope to address, through my images, the sun and how important it is to us physically, intellectually, psychologically, creatively and metaphorically.”

Much like McFarland’s images of the sun, the purpose of art is often to portray ideas and subjects in uncommon ways that allow for better understanding. 

Each of the artists has their own way of portraying these certain ideas and subjects. While Bradley Petersen and Susan Whyne have pieces focused on drawing and painting, Thelma Coles focuses on ceramics and Don Herron’s pieces are metals. 

Mark Goodman, former photography professor, captured photographs of downtown Austin from 1980 through spring 2013.

“When you pay attention and get to see what [a subject] looks like as a picture, it changes what’s in front of you,” Goodman said. “It changes how you can understand pictures. It’s a way of coming to terms with, and making sense of, what’s in front of you.” 

Goodman said pictures, and art in general, can help people understand who they are and what’s happening around them. 

McFarland said his attraction to art dates back to when he was five years old, recreating landscapes and cartoon characters with pencil and paper. 

“I decided then that I wanted to be an artist,” McFarland said. “Later when I went to college, I had a double major — math and art. Math was easy and art was hard, so I decided to major in art, and I have not looked back.”

Kenneth Hale, a professor in the department for 40 years, said producing and viewing art is one of the best experiences he has ever known. Hale, as well as Tom Druecker, will have their prints showcased at the exhibit. 

“Living a life with art is an imperative no matter what career students choose,” Hale said. “Art takes you out of the everyday routine of life and can take you to a new place, if you are lucky.”

Having been with the University for so long, the eight newly retired faculty members treasured many moments during their careers, despite some tedious or difficult tasks of being a professor.  

“I will not miss endless faculty meetings, committee meetings, the evaluation of faculty year after year with no increases in salary and the endless department, college, university, state and national reports and paperwork that is required just to teach a class at the University of Texas,” McFarland said. “But, I say, and I think most faculty will say, the students — as they are the future — keep us all honest and make us feel alive.” 

These artists, though no longer at UT, have created passion and inspiration in their wake, leaving those who learned from them to push forward with their knowledge. 

“I hope that I have helped students to believe in themselves,” McFarland said. “When they leave school they will not have anyone in their studios standing around to inspire them. They will have to find that energy somewhere, and I hope they leave the University with the ability to find that inspiration inside themselves.”