Ohio License Plate Sculpture
The Ohio Union is not just a place for students to meet up with friends, study or catch a bite to eat. The Ohio Union is also a place for students and local artists to showcase their work. The art pieces all around the Ohio Union are done by either student’s from Ohio State, or hold some significance with the building. Learning about the art and artists can give you a better appreciation of the works in the Ohio Union.
Possibly the most recognizable art piece within the Ohio Union is Bronze Brutus. Learn more about his creation in this past blog article. Another very popular art piece in the Ohio Union is the State of Ohio (the Ohio License Plate Sculpture) piece by Jeff Hersey (an OSU alumnus) and Bob Swanson. The State of Ohio piece is located in the Northeast hallway that also houses the bookstore and bank. It is made up of license plates from Ohio, “each in the shape of Ohio’s 88 counties. These two pieces promote the ideals and community of the university, and are among the most photographed pieces throughout the year. From the Columbus community, the Ohio Union has various pieces from the works of Linda Langhorst. She is a Columbus-based painter, and her work can be found throughout the building on both the first and second floor. More information about her and her works can be found online.
The Ohio Union Art Board is responsible for finding and choosing new pieces and deciding where they should be displayed in the building. This board is made up of twelve to fifteen people, both faculty and students of the Ohio State University. The board looks at the art shows of the undergraduate and graduate students working on their Fine Arts degree, as well as other shows the department of art puts on. Once the board finds a piece that they would like to include it in the Ohio Union collection, they purchase the art piece from the student. Once the piece is purchased, it will be placed for its first year in the Ohio Union on the second floor on the walls and in the Art Lounge.
Art is an important part of the Ohio State experience. Just taking the time to look around the Ohio Union you can find many interesting pieces that have unique back stories. If you would like to submit art for display in the Ohio Union, please contact Beth Ullum, Ullum.2@osu.edu.
Danny Price Student Lounge where new art pieces are displayed
The Arches by Linda Langhorst located on the second floor of the Ohio Union