It will be on view at the Birke Art Gallery from May 16 through June 20, with a closing reception planned for 5 to 8 p.m. June 20. The reception will be held June 20 in conjunction with the June Downtown Huntington Art Walk.
“Friends in Low Places” takes a fresh look at long-standing divisions in the art world by featuring work that exists outside the traditional boundaries of “high art.” With a focus on creativity, experimentation and a broad range of artistic styles, the exhibition reflects the energy and personality of HACkS, as well as a variety of influences, including counterculture, kitsch and unconventional approaches to art-making.
According to HACkS, “The line between high and low has become blurred. Now more than ever, the rich appropriate the poor, the poor imitate the rich, and amidst the muddied waters, lowbrow art starts showing up in high places.”
HACkS operates as a collective with studios and event space located on the 5th and 6th floors of the West Virginia building in downtown Huntington. Working with local artists, including graduates from Marshall’s School of Art & Design, the group’s mission emphasizes a creative environment centered on collaboration, resource-sharing and inclusivity.
Marshall’s Birke Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Visual Arts Center at 927 3rd Ave. and presents a rotating calendar of exhibitions featuring a wide range of artists across styles, disciplines and career levels. The space invites engagement from both campus and community audiences at no cost through free programming and events year-round.
Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission and events are free and open to the public.
For more information or inquiries, contact Gallery Director Courtney Chapman at galleries@marshall.edu.