Four of them planned to make a daytrip to the Mediterranean island, Mallorca. They missed their flight and pouted for a while in disappointment. As a backup plan, the group decided to visit Gracia, which was an independent village until the end of the last century. The district is known for its shops and modern architecture and is distinctive despite having been enveloped by the city. As the group emerged from the subway, they walked into a festival with a huge parade flowing past.
This was the University of Memphis Arts Research and Travel Studies group (A.R.T.S) on their annual spring break trip. Every year, the group of graduate and undergraduate students travels to distant cities to study exclusive cultural and artistic phenomena.
"If we would have made that flight, we would have never even known a festival was going on," said Barbara Talan, the organization's president. "It would have been a shame to miss it."
The organization has existed for eight years and has traveled to Chicago, New York, Washington D.C., Amsterdam, Rome, Italy, Paris, France, The Netherlands and Barcelona, Spain.
The group was founded to advance art appreciation and to see art in its original setting, said Talan. They use the organization's operational funding and conduct fundraisers to make trips affordable to members. Fundraisers take the form of art auctions, wine tastings, garage sales and pumpkin sales.
There will be an exhibit displaying the artists' efforts since returning from Barcelona.
The "Barcelona" show in Gallery 203 is planned for an opening reception on Friday, Oct. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. Musician Jeremy Grall will play at the function as the pieces are displayed. The show will run Oct. 4 through Friday, Oct. 15.
"There was lots of contemporary art in Barcelona. Joan Miro, Tapies, Mangelo; and mosaics everywhere inspired by Antonio Gaudi," Talan said.
"The architecture was magnificent, lots of art Nouveau. Also, graffiti seemed to be everywhere, an art form in its own right," Talan said.
The scenery, including the Mediterranean, also inspired the artworks the group is showing.
"Seeing art in its original setting gives students new cultural sensory perception," said David Horan, an art department technician.
According to Horan, the show will consist of multimedia works inspired by the visit and will be composed of photos, sculptures, screenprints and paintings from the members of the group.
"Europe is a completely different experience than you can get in the United States," said U of M student Aaron Closz.
"You get a new perspective, and as an art student, that's one of the best things you can get," Closz said.
Membership to the organization is open for everyone, whether majoring in art or not. Faculty members accompany students to chaperon the groups during the visit.
The group's next planned trip is to Brussels, Belgium this March. Upcoming fundraisers are planned and the group is also conducting a membership drive.
Upcoming events include a "Starving Artist Garage sale" where art items will be sold on Oct. 9. Also a Silent Auction will take place on South Main on Oct. 29 where the public may bid on student, faculty and area artists' work.
