Lone Star College – Tomball Exhibits Paintings That Shed Light On Abuse

From now through November 22, Lone Star College-Tomball’s art gallery is featuring “Hidden Epidemic,” a collection of paintings by Houston RN and artist Susan Spjut.  The exhibit, which sheds light on various aspects of abuse, is free and open to the public Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in LSC-Tomball’s Beckendorf Conference Center.
As a forensic nurse with Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Spjut deals with sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse daily; as a painter, she describes herself as “a figurative artist who has found a fascination with textures.”  The merging of the two occurred when Spjut lost a friend to domestic violence.  Reflecting on the tragedy, it occurred to her that, “People read about these happenings, think ‘How awful’ and then forget about it.  I have cut each article out of the newspaper, and have drawn or painted images over the articles.  In a sense, the newspaper is my canvas.”

Spjut’s paintings are often influenced by particularly difficult cases.  “They are all very personal to me.  My hope is that they will draw the viewer in for a close look and then the headlines will take over.  If I can raise awareness just a little, one viewer at a time, my art has been successful.”

The gallery is next to the Beckendorf Conference Center, located at 30555 Tomball Parkway (off State Highway 249 and Zion Road).  For more information contact Steffani Frideres at 281.401.1808 orsteffani.a.frideres@lonestar.edu.