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XL Projects bridges college and community

A new art studio in the heart of downtown Syracuse engages the local community with the hill.

Tucked inside the heart of Armory Square lies a single art studio. Most students have probably wandered past the large glass windows of XL Projects without realizing it. Settled next to Al’s Wine and Whiskey Lounge, across from Syracuse Suds Factory, this newly christened art space is the baby of Syracuse University’s School of Visual and Performing Arts.

Program exhibitions coordinator Andrew Havenhand created XL Projects because there was no place on campus to display VPA students, alumni, and regional artists' works. The venue joined Syracuse’s Third Thursdays last semester to great reception. Most shows attract at least 100 visitors, and the studio’s schedule is booked through the summer.

Photo: Kristin Hunt

Havenhand is pleasantly surprised by the success, he says, “It’s lots of work, but the benefits have been incredible to the community and college.”

Armory Square may seem like an odd location for the university’s art space, but Havenhand assures that the area was purposefully chosen. Armory Square opens interaction between the general public and the university. XL Projects engages the community with the University Hill area. And the expansive glass windows invite residents in for a quick stop as they head downtown.

Third Thursday showcased an exhibit entitled “Elongating the Thread,” on Feb. 18, which featured work from nine SU fiber and textile alumni from various years.

Artists mingled with talkative spectators as free food and drinks were served to the excited crowd of students, faculty and locals. Artwork ranged from a crocheted pipe, to ceramics to twisted metal.

The student-juried exhibition began March 3 with student pieces from all disciplines in VPA, handpicked by Lisa Erf, director of the art program at JPMorgan Chase in Manhattan.

Junior fiber textiles art major Tim Westbrook says there’s not a lot of gallery experiences for undergraduate students, so XL Projects is a great opportunity to collaborate with a curator and gain professional experience.

“It gives you a chance to see what your contemporaries are working on and that is very important for an artist,” Westbrook added.

 XL Projects is located at 307-313 South Clinton St. and is open from noon – 6 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. For more information call 315-442-2542.     

ibition began March 3 with

ibition began March 3 with student pieces from all disciplines in VPA, handpicked by Lisa Erf, director of the art program at JPMorgan Chase in Manhattan.

Junior fiber textiles art major Tim

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