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At the University of Toledo, the library isn’t just a place for studying. It’s also where some of the most talented artists on campus proudly display their work.
Art exhibitions populated by both faculty- and student-created works are set to open to the public at Carlson Library on November 2 and 9, respectively.The exhibitions are a part of the Carlson Gallery Series, a collection of eight shows spread across the academic year. They are hosted in the North and South Galleries, located off the main lobby of the library.
Previous shows in these spaces include a showcase of the work of wildlife photographer Brian Zwiebel, a reflection on advancing technology in comparison to science fiction and a collection of historic automobile advertisements. Each spring, the space also hosts a themed exhibition open to student submissions.
“Our focus is really getting local artists, either highlighting students, faculty, staff artists, as well as artists who are either local to Toledo or have some subject matter to the Northwest Ohio area,” Kathryn Rose, events coordinator for the University of Toledo Libraries, said.
With the student and faculty exhibitions, the library promotes up-and-coming artists and veterans of the field alike. Student work from the Bachelor of Art and Bachelor of Fine Arts programs will be displayed down the hall from an interdepartmental selection of faculty work.
For many artists, this showcase may be the first time they are seeing their work on display in a gallery.
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“I’m always amazed by just how excited people are to get their work into a gallery,” Rose said. “It’s one of my favorite parts of the job.”
The gallery opening for the 2025 student showcase. Image courtesy of University of Toledo Libraries.
According to Rose, several murals on display in the library are also from student artists, reflecting a commitment to the arts and support for student experiences.
“When you get into business, engineering, law, you get a lot of opportunities for experiential learning. You don’t see quite as much of that with the arts. So, just providing that experience for students,” Rose said, “that’s a really great opportunity.”
In giving a platform to local artists and hosting exhibitions that combine arts, culture, nature and history, the Carlson Gallery Series shows how much the role of the library has shifted in university life. It’s not just about finding textbooks and hosting study groups anymore.
“A lot of students see libraries as third spaces. You can come hang out, you don’t have to spend money. We only have books on one of our floors, all the rest of them, you’ve got tables and desks and places where you can come in and work together,” Rose said. “It’s almost the new student union.”
The UToledo Employee Art Exhibition premieres in the Carlson Library’s South Gallery on November 2, and the Art Student Showcase opens November 9 in the North Gallery. Both shows run through December 16. There will also be a gallery opening event on November 12 from 5:00-7:00 PM. The shows and the opening event are all open to the public.
