From now through November 22, Lone Star College-Tomball’s art gallery is featuring “Hidden Epidemic,” a collection of paintings by Houston RN and artist Susan Spjut. The exhibit, which sheds light on various aspects of abuse, is free and open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in LSC-Tomball’s Beckendorf Conference Center.
As a forensic nurse with Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Spjut deals with sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse daily; as a painter, she describes herself as “a figurative artist who has found a fascination with textures.” The merging of the two occurred when Spjut lost a friend to domestic violence. Reflecting on the tragedy, it occurred to her that, “People read about these happenings, think ‘How awful’ and then forget about it. I have cut each article out of the newspaper, and have drawn or painted images over the articles. In a sense, the newspaper is my canvas.”
Spjut’s paintings are often influenced by particularly difficult cases. “They are all very personal to me. My hope is that they will draw the viewer in for a close look and then the headlines will take over. If I can raise awareness just a little, one viewer at a time, my art has been successful.”
The gallery is next to the Beckendorf Conference Center, located at 30555 Tomball Parkway (off State Highway 249 and Zion Road). For more information contact Steffani Frideres at 281.401.1808 or steffani.a.frideres@lonestar.edu.
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With 75,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area, and the fastest-growing community college system in Texas. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, five centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.