Students who want to flaunt their artistic talents and abilities now have an unparalleled opportunity for doing so.

Caroline Barratt, a reference librarian at the Student Learning Center and Nora Wendl, a gallery coordinator at the Lamar Dodd School of Art, together created “Art in the SLC,” a program that allows students to submit proposals for any site-specific artwork they would like to have exhibited.

“We just thought about the SLC as being an excellent place for artists to take a look and propose artwork that will use one of the interesting facets of the building,” Barratt said.

Artists will be required to submit an online application with a few conjunctive materials, such as a slide show, and if it’s work that has already been completed, documentation describing it, according to the program’s Web site.

Although it may seem crowded during certain times, space is exactly what the SLC has for such a display.

A number of locations available for use include the grand staircases, the rotunda and alcoves in between.

“It’s sort of using the SLC as a public canvas for them to think differently about the space, and come up with something new and creative,” Barratt said.

“This building is so central to every student’s life, so we thought it would be a really a good venue.”

David Yeom, a senior from Lawrenceville majoring in drawing, said he feels this is a great opportunity for students for exactly that reason.

“Exhibits and museums where artwork is displayed tend to draw only a certain kind of audience,” Yeom said. “The SLC, however, will make it available to anyone, including people who aren’t necessarily artistically inclined, to view and appreciate the work.”

Maria Garza, a sophomore from Savannah majoring in interior design, said art definitely influences the environment but can only enhance it.

“I think it goes hand-in-hand with the learning experience,” she said.

“It’s important even to non-art majors or even who wouldn’t necessarily appreciate art to just be surrounded by it. It definitely has a pleasing psychological effect.”

Setting aside the issue of a theme or even the type of artwork that will be installed, she said, it’s not an opportunity that truly committed artists can pass up because of the benefits that come with the display.

The Web site lists guidelines by which the artwork will be judged, including the safety aspects of the work, other technical aspects of the installation and display that must be met in order to be eligible.

The deadline to sign up for art exhibition slots ends Oct. 15.

For more information, visit http://www.slc.uga.edu/slcinstallation/