Cool Beanz hosts student-run gallery

Augustana student artists are showing their work at Cool Beanz coffeehouse in Rock Island. The show opened with a free event March 22 and will be up until the end of May.

It will be the fifth such exhibition in partnership with the coffeehouse at 1325 30th St.This ongoing student-run gallery space came about because art majors wanted a gallery space of their own. Initially installed on two walls in the art studio building on campus, the gallery quickly evolved.

When Augustana faculty approached Cool Beanz owner Annette Zapolis ’09 about a partnership, she loved the idea.

Zapolis worked with Augustana studio art technician Eric Mathis and students to develop plans to use the coffeehouse walls.

The directors of the gallery, art history major K.T. Gorzek ’17 and art major Rebecca Kelly ’18, curate and install one exhibition each term.

“Augustana’s art students need creative outlets, and Cool Beanz provides a familiar environment where students can proudly display their work,” Gorzek said.

Kelly added, “The student artists are all very dedicated, and it's amazing to see the community responding to their creativity.”

The exhibition includes works, in a variety of media, by Devyn Absher ’17, Thea Gonzalez ’19, Emily Grooms ’17, Jenna Hartman ’20, McKee Jackson ’17, Audrey Mast ’18, Ian Magnuson ’17, Ian Murrin ’20, Josh Thorson ’18, Margaret Utgaard ’18 and Monica Wierzbicki ’17.