Get a little culture out of your school day and visit the Bannister Gallery

Roman Kavanagh

Opinions Editor

Most people would agree that Rhode Island College has a fairly small campus. The plethora of activities packed in every week by our numerous campus clubs makes it hard to be bored. Still, staring at the same old walls of Craig-Lee can get a little humdrum after a while.

If you need a change of scenery, then I highly recommend you come visit the Bannister Gallery in Roberts Hall. Now, with full disclosure, I am a little biased on the matter. I’ve been working at the Bannister Gallery for a little under half a year now. I can say from firsthand experience that my time there has enriched my weeks immensely.

The truth is, as busy college students, we often don’t have the free time to explore the arts and culture that the city has to offer. That’s why the Bannister Gallery is such a great resource. Constantly rotating exhibits ensure that there is always something fresh to see. The gallery has showcased work from professors here at RIC, student exhibitions, and local and international artists alike.

Image by Ollie Kowal

So much of college life is centered around two polar pursuits: leisure time and the grind. I don’t think it has to be this black-and-white. Truthfully, the joy of learning is a lifelong pursuit. If we begin to build these habits now, we can become life-long learners, beyond the classroom. This is a tenet of education that RIC strives to instill, and the Bannister is just one of the many cultural sites which students should be aware of and take more time to utilize while here on campus.

So next time you have a free period between class and you don’t want to spend it scrolling, maybe come through the Bannister Gallery and see if you can find something to stimulate your mind. The Bannister Gallery is located in Roberts Hall and is open Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.