Lindsey Wilson University Students Mix Klimt with Matisse to Create Public Art Installation
COLUMBIA, Ky. (10/12/2026) — Lindsey Wilson University students in an art class are showing what happens when you mix the styles of Gustav Klimt and Henri Matisse, and invite the community to contribute their ideas.
The students, who are part of art professor Kristyne Gilbert's "Studio Drawing" class, are creating a public art installation on the lower level of the W.W. Slider Humanities Center based on the styles of the two late-19th century artists.
Lindsey Wilson students, faculty and staff, along with members of the public, are invited to contribute to the installation by dropping by the lower level of the Slider Center from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. CT Monday-Friday through Oct. 24.
Matisse was known for his use of vivid colors in his works, and Klimt's works helped define what became known as the Art Nouveau style in Europe.
The students' installation is called "If Henri Matisse and Gustav Klimt Met for Coffee," and it's an opportunity for the students to collaborate with class peers and the public to create what Gilbert calls "an evolving piece of artwork that provides access to artistic processes."
"The project was inspired by two of the most intriguing artists I've studied," said Gilbert. "As an artist and instructor, I enjoy challenging myself and my students to think and create in ways that take risks."
Open to the public
Located next to the work-in-progress is a box full of various colorful pieces of cloth, which reflect Matisse's influence; the pieces of cloth are cut into various sizes and geometric designs, which reflect Klimt's influences and style. The outline for the installation was sketched by arts administration major Annabelle Rucker '30 of Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Lindsey Wilson student Kaylee Butler '28 said "it's fun to see everyone pick out a different piece of cloth" for the installation.
"When you pick up a piece of cloth you have one perspective, but somebody else might have another perspective of the same piece," said Butler, a sustainability and environmental studies major from Columbia. "You get a lot of different views."
Student Russell Glass '30 said he likes the details involved with the project.
"As an artist myself, I try to go as detailed as possible when I'm working on an object," said Glass, an art major from Columbia. "The thing about art is there's always room to improve your work."
Art surprises
Student Odette Park is spending the fall semester as an exchange student at Lindsey Wilson from South Korea. An art major, when Odette helped plan the installation she thought she knew which direction it would take. Then she was surprised once people started to add pieces to it.
"The most interesting thing about interactive art is that you don't know how it will turn out," said Park, who will sketch another public installation later in the semester. "I thought the pieces would be more square, but people are making their own shapes."
Media studies major Carla Padron '30 has also enjoyed seeing people add their own artistic vision to the installation.
"It's very interesting because it lets everyone express how they feel through the piece they select for it," said Padron, who is from Columbia.
Student Haley Meyer '29 said she likes how the collaborative nature of the project evolves into a single artistic vision.
"It's very interesting because everyone who adds something to it causes it to constantly change until it's done," said Meyer, who is a media studies major from Campbellsville, Kentucky.
Art education major Madison Wooten '29 said she likes the inclusive spirit of the project.
"It gives people a chance to come in who are not an art major or an artist," said Wooten, who is from Columbia. "It gives them a chance to create art and have a deeper appreciation of art."
And fellow art education major Ty McGowan '30 said he's seen that happen.
"I've had multiple people who are not art students come down here and add something to the installation," said McGowan, who is from Russell Springs, Kentucky. "As an art education major, something like this is a way to get the arts out there more."
Pictured: Lindsey Wilson University exchange student Odette Park of South Korea attaches a piece of cloth to the public art installation on the lower level of the W.W. Slider Humanities Center, which is part of a project in art professor Kristyne Gilbert’s “Studio Drawing” class.
Pictured, bottom: Lindsey Wilson University students in art professor Kristyne Gilbert’s “Studio Drawing” class stand next to the public art installation in the lower level of the W.W. Slider Humanities Center. Pictured, from left: Ty McGowan ’30 of Russell Springs, Kentucky; Madison Wooten ’29 of Columbia; exchange student Odette Park of South Korea; Russell Glass ’30 of Columbia; Kaylee Butler ’28 of Columbia; Haley Meyer ’29 of Campbellsville, Kentucky; and Carla Padron ’30 of Columbia. Not pictured: Annabelle Rucker ’30 of Nicholasville, Kentucky.
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