Pacific Index

Written by Samara Day for MEDA 240

Tyler Brumfield never intended to study art. But one class as an undergraduate set him on a different course—and now, nine years later, he is an art professor at Pacific University, and he has made it his mission to share the brilliance of art with undergraduate students and inspire them to perhaps change their course as well.

“In a college environment, art is an academic pathway,” declares Brumfield. “It’s a way to study and to access knowledge.” He is sitting in an art studio in Brown Hall, on the edge of campus. A couple of long tables stretch across the room, etched with pencil marks and scarred by exacto knives. The room is layered with smells—wood, pencils, dust. He continues, We have a responsibility for teaching people how to be creative and teaching people a good definition of creativity.”

Brumfield reclines back in his chair, wearing his customary blue jeans and vest. He says, “that’s the whole thing about art, turning your visions into realities that other people can be part of.”

Brumfield worries that there is not enough art on campus—and that the process for displaying student art takes too long and buries expression. But, as the current Chair of the Art Department, Brumfield can do something about it, and he is!

He grew up in Dallas, Oregon, and has been here most of his life. After graduating from Western Oregon University (WOU), he moved to Montana for graduate school to continue his studies in art education. Right after he graduated from University of Montana, he returned to Oregon and joined the Pacific University community. He guides students to tap into their creative side, producing amazing art pieces that he helps shape from imagination to form.

“I think a lot of people in the world think they’re not creative,” he states, “but mostly it’s just because they have a poor definition of what creativity is.” He speaks about campus art, “I think of art as an experience on campus; it has another role to play sort of separate from its role as an academic focus. When it’s just up and around, it contributes to the cultural identity of Pacific students.”

Pacific University’s Art Department is small compared to other state schools in Oregon. According to NICHE and Universities.com, websites that help students find which college to attend, Pacific University does not have a well-known Art Department. Oregon State University, University of Oregon, and PNCA (Pacific Northwest College of Art) are the most prominent art schools in Oregon. Brumfield would like to change this and to let students know Pacific has a thriving art program. Even though the art community is small, that should not hinder the importance of Pacific art students and their works.

Named for the late Kathrin Cawein, an accomplished printmaker, the Cawein Art Gallery is located next to AuCoin Hall, right by the entrance. The space features rotating exhibitions throughout the academic year, along with artist receptions and an artist talk associated with each exhibit. It also established an endowed scholarship for students of the arts at Pacific. Brumfield mentions that student artwork is also featured there. “We usually do capstones, majors and minors there. It’s the last show and commencement.”

Brumfield hopes that other buildings and spaces can also be used more as venues for artistic and student expression. There has been a push for more student art, and now more opportunities are being created for student work. “We have a couple of newer exhibition locations for student work, like Marsh (Hall),” he explains. “There is also student work in the bump lounge, which is upstairs in Taylore-Meade. I’m trying to think about ways we can do things that are low impact that don’t involve marring the architectural surfaces that we have here,” states Brumfield.

I am currently enrolled in his “Public Art 369” class, where students experience firsthand the art-making and approval processes, which can take weeks. The class’s main purpose is to create a variety of art and display it around campus. Our class has been creating pieces, and it’s inspiring to see other students develop their artistic eye. We work in a small group that sits in close proximity, supporting each other and witnessing how our projects develop from an idea to what we envisioned. The creative process unfolds for each of us from vision to 2D and 3D creation. This process is very inspiring and leaves us all proud.

Our first project passed the approval process in about six weeks. We are going to create chain-link mosaics using the put-in cups we drew on paper at the beginning of the semester. Now the pieces will have the chance to be seen! They will be displayed on the fence of the tennis court on Cedar Street.

“Art has a lot of roles to play, and for a single project like these chain link mosaics, there’s a range of approaches,” argues Brumfield. “I’m not making everyone do one approach. We have people interested in pop culture characters or a moment with nature; there are all kinds of approaches to it. And all kinds of things people can take away from it. It doesn’t always have to serve one job.”

As we put up our art pieces, I hope students will find them inspiring to look at, or even just have a good laugh. No matter the reaction, there is power in art, both in its creation and in its viewing. Its gift is truly the sharing of human experience. It can be thought-provoking, disturbing, or can brighten someone’s day.

“Just look around,” says Brumfield. “If you’re on your way to a meeting or you’re in AuCoin and you’re coming from a class, just look at what’s on the wall.”