Thanks to a generous donation from the Covert family, the Clark Library has dedicated a gallery space in honor of Dr. James T. Covert. Dr. Covert had a long and influential career on the Bluff starting as an undergraduate from 1955 to 1959, then a history professor from 1961 to 1997, and as the founder and first director of the University Museum. Documenting and preserving the University's history was one of Dr. Covert's passions. He authored A Point of Pride: The University of Portland Story and was further inspired to collect and preserve University-related artifacts including mascot heads, student nurse uniforms, and letterman sweaters.
Exhibits showcase the history of the University and the scholarship and creativity of University of Portland students, faculty, and staff. There are four to five exhibits per year and proposals are welcome (see Exhibits Information and Criteria).
January - March: School Spirit Through Songs and Music
We celebrate a century of alma maters and school anthems from our predecessor Columbia University (1901-1935) to the University of Portland (1935-). Each song is home-grown, lovingly crafted by UP students and faculty, and performed by University bands and choral groups throughout these many years. Curious to hear them? Visit the Digital Collection or scan the QR codes on gallery labels to enjoy recordings made in 2016. These songs rang out at school assemblies, sports events, graduations, and more - they are both time-capsules and proud declarations of the spirit of UP.
October - December: Experience of a Student: Artwork by Thayne Covert
August - October: Celebrating Waldschmidt Hall
About the exhibit: Built in 1891, this stalwart building started life on The Bluff as West Hall. As the University’s longest-serving building, Waldschmidt Hall has welcomed all University presidents from the first, Rev. E.P. Murphy who rang the opening bell on September 5, 1901, to the University’s 21st president, Dr. Robert Kelly.
April - August: Student Perspectives on Sustainability
March - April: Remembering Marc Covert
About the exhibit: The Clark Library celebrates Marc Covert, UP alumnus and beloved UP colleague for more than 25 years. Marc was a talented writer and cartoonist who dedicated his prodigious gifts to Portland magazine, telling stories and recounting campus history in ways that drew readers in and showed his love for the university. We lost Marc to cancer in 2021 but are proud to honor his memory with this exhibit in the gallery that bears his family’s name.
January - March: Running with scissors...while laughing all the way to the Banksy (Kinetic sculptures by Mark Pitzer)
August - October: El Otro Lado - The Other Side (Photographs by Blair Woodard)
About the Exhibit: The terminus of the U.S. border wall extends over three hundred meters into the Pacific Ocean in Tijuana. Although the presence of the wall is oppressive, the Playas of Tijuana has become a place of resistance, celebration, and fortitude. The citizens of Tijuana have turned the wall and the boardwalk into a living art exhibit. Visit the Garaventa Center archives to watch a recording of Blair Woodard's talk about these photographs.
October - December: UP Student Newspapers
January - March: Running Through Time: Track and Field at the University of Portland
March - December: Gallery exhibits on hiatus
January - March: UP Women’s Basketball: A Look Back
March - August: Clark Library Juried Photo Contest
August - October: Through Kaleidoscope Eyes
October - December: Down Around the Corner
January - February: The Early Years of UP Nursing
March - April: From Page to Production
May - August: Perspectives
September - October: Celebrating the Clark Library
October - December: Dr. James T. Covert
August - September: Remembering Howard Hall
October - December: Searching for Homunculus
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