Union Depot murals on display at Augusta University

A small piece of Minnesota history will be on display beginning Wednesday at the Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Art at Augusta University – “A Story in Pictures: Studies for the St. Paul Union Depot Murals,” a highly acclaimed exhibit by Atlanta-based artist Ralph Gilbert.

Previously shown at the Minnesota Museum of American Art, it consists of six multicultural murals evoking the history of the region and rail transportation. According to Gilbert, the project involved close collaboration with the St. Paul community to ensure that the visual stories reflected the ideals and aspirations of community members and their forbearers.

“While my work is fully contemporary, it draws upon a long tradition of mural painting in western art,” Gilbert said. “My hope is that presenting this work in the Mary S. Byrd Gallery of Augusta University helps students, fellow artists and the Augusta community to understand the necessary time and forethought required by a large-scale public work. “

Gilbert will speak about the exhibit during a guest lecture at 5 p.m. Sept. 8 in University Hall, Room 170. A reception will follow in the gallery.

The exhibit is on display through Sept. 16.

For more information about this event, call 706-667-4888 or visit the Byrd Gallery.