Origins and developments of the Regier Art Gallery
Origins and developments of the Regier Art Gallery
This gem of Bethel's campus has been around since the conception of the Fine Arts Center itself, and has evolved over the years.
It is easy to take the existence of the Regier Art Gallery for granted. Its presence as a hub for both local and student art has become an essential part of Luyken Fine Arts center. Few colleges have art showcases as uniquely accessible and visible as the Regier Art Gallery. So how did Bethel College get so lucky?
“The art gallery was part of the original plans for the Luyken Fine Arts Center, completed in 1966…when the Fine Arts Center went under renovation in 2014-15, the gallery was also remodeled,” said professor and chair of visual arts and design David Long.
As one of the major donors behind the renovation, the Dyck family had the privilege of naming the gallery, which was previously unbranded.
The Dycks wanted to pay homage to Professor Emeritus, Robert “Bob” Regier. Regier studied at Bethel under Lena Waltner, who established Bethel’s art minor. Regier was hired to teach art at Bethel in 1965 and during his time here, created a degree program in the arts.
The use of the Regier Art Gallery expanded in the following years. Now, whenever community members join Bethel students for a concert or theater production they have the opportunity to peruse local or student art without leaving Luyken Fine Arts Center. This provides continuity between Bethel’s different art programs and allows cross-disciplinary discussion about the importance of the fine arts.
“As a gallery at an educational institution, one of the main purposes of the gallery is to expand student learning,” said professor of visual arts and design, chair of faculty, and director of Regier Art Gallery Rachel Epp Buller.
Sometimes, the artists featured in the gallery will meet with Bethel students to share their expertise. For example, graphic designer and photographer Nate Hofer met with Buller’s 2D design class to discuss his exhibition in the gallery. Alongside Hofer, Glen Ediger’s work has been featured in the gallery this year, and yet to come are the works of Stacey Stanhope Dundon and Ian Hubert.
Currently on display is Julia Olsen’s exhibition entitled “Hidden Conversations Through Portraiture.”
The Regier Art Gallery is open weekdays 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. “Stop in sometime when you're walking through the FAC, or before or after convocation,” said Buller. Who knows, you may just unbridle a secret passion for art.