Until two years ago, the little room with a flower-print exterior perched on the second floor of Smith Union was merely an extension of the game room—seen but rarely used.
Now, it provides art. When the room was renovated two years ago, art railings were added in order to use the space as a gallery for student art or local artists.
"The room is not very large, so we do our best to display art that is lively and colorful," said Bonnie Pardue, Administrative Coordinator of Information and Ticket sales and would-be curator of the Blue Room Gallery. "The room has art in it most of the year."
"The video games were in there but were taken out because students no longer used them," Pardue added. "We wanted the space to still be used for students, so we painted the room and put in the table to make it a space for students to enjoy."
In addition, the ceiling was taken down, which turned the room from a dark, enclosed space into a light, open one.
After the renovations, the room can rarely be found without two or three students in it; the Blue Room is a quiet spot in the Union, which is a rarity. Instead of housing unused video games, it provides a useful study space and a relaxing place in the center of campus, as well as a place for art.
The artist currently displaying work in the Blue Room Gallery is Maine native Stephen Soper. He enrolled in the Maine College of Art in 1994 to receive his BFA. Currently, Stephen spends time at Bowdoin working at Thorne Dining Hall as well as displaying his art. His exhibit in the Blue Room Gallery is called "Circles and Squared." While Soper was unable for comment, Pardue has been in contact with the artist.
"His exhibit is meant to show how [circles and squares] have influenced his work over the last decade," she said.
The exhibit is made up of 10 different pieces which all represent circles and squares in different ways. Although the exhibit is quite small, Soper demonstrates his ability to use many techniques in his art—pointillism, collage, transparency, and still life are all present.
The 10 pieces include three medium sized paintings, six small paintings grouped together, and one large tiled piece in the center. All of the pieces surround the study table in the middle of the room—any student who has enjoyed studying in the Walker Art Museum will appreciate the atmosphere of the room.
Exhibits in the Blue Room Gallery display for one month, and Soper's will be there until February 28. Bowdoin students are welcome to display work in the gallery, and should contact Pardue.