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The UCF Libraries’ Special Collections & University Archives is pleased to announce the Beyond the Books: History of the UCF’s Library exhibit, which looks at the history of the University of Central Florida’s John C. Hitt Library including major renovations – both past and future – along with a selection of library resources.

When the University of Central Florida (then Florida Technological University) opened in 1968, the library was the only completed academic building on campus. As the student body grew, so did the campus. As campus grew, the library was renovated to better suit the needs of students. The first major renovation occurred in 1982-1984 and included money for the acquisition of artwork. With the addition of new UCF campuses, partnerships, and online learning, the library expanded resources for students needing to access materials remotely. The materials in this exhibit are from UCF Libraries’ Special Collections & University Archives.

The exhibit was curated by Elisabeth Jimenez, Special Collections & University Archives employee, and runs from November 2019 to January 2020. The exhibit is in the Special Collections & University Archives’ exhibit space located on the 5th floor of the John C. Hitt Library.

The exhibit “Thomas E. Azzari, The Art of Theme Parks: Stage Design and Production” features items from the “Thomas E. Azzari Theme Parks and Attractions Collection, 1973-2018” highlighting Azzari’s work as a designer of theme park productions. Included in the exhibit are drawings, illustrations, project paperwork, and photographs related to SeaWorld, Weeki Wachee Springs, and Silver Springs.

Thomas E. Azzari studied industrial design at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut and attended the ArtCenter College of Design in California. Azzari worked over forty years in the media and entertainment industry as a production designer, set designer, and art director.

The exhibit, curated by Sarah Ryschkewitsch, Intern, and Burak Ogreten, Senior Archivist for Special Collections, runs May to August 2019. The exhibit is in the Special Collections & University Archives’ exhibit space located on the 5th floor of the John C. Hitt Library.

UCF Student Book Arts Competition: 13 Years of UCF Student Designed Artists’ Books showcases winning entries from the UCF Libraries Special Collections & University Archives’ Annual Book Arts Competition. Artists’ books are works of art that use the structure or function of a book or book-like objects. While most artists’ books are published in limited editions, the works featured in this exhibit are one-of-a-kind objects.  The annual competition, open to all UCF undergraduate and graduate students, encourages students to explore the world of artists’ books by creating their own works. Each year’s winning entry is added to Special Collections & University Archives’ Book Arts & Typography Collection. The exhibit is located on the 5th floor of the John C. Hitt Library on UCF’s main campus.

On its 13th year, the Book Arts Competition sponsored by Special Collections & University Archives at the University of Central Florida Libraries have been recognizing the artistic works of undergraduate and graduate students in book arts. Book arts are works of art that pushes the form and reading structure of traditional books. Many artist books are handmade by the artist themselves. Each year the competition awards one student artist book to be included in the permanent Book Arts & Typography Collection at Special Collections & University Archives. A panel of judges selects the winning artist book based on creativity, craftsmanship, content, and design. This year’s judges were David Benjamin, Head of UCF Libraries’ Special Collections & University Archives, and Rachel Simmons, Professor of Art at Rollins College.

The competition had a breadth of unique entries. Each artist book submitted was distinct in both form and content, ranging from personal experiences to whimsical stories. Leaves by Jacob Wan is the 13th Annual Book Arts Winner. Wan’s artist book visually tells the longing of nostalgia; the connection and disconnection, the familiar and unfamiliar, the similarity and difference between reality and memories. Delicate sewing stitches and handmade paper interweave throughout the book as photographs recreate moments of the artist’s youth.

This exhibit runs through February which features all entries submitted as well as select past winners.

You might find them in front of the classroom or in the office down the hall and yet never suspect they make art. They are “Hidden Artists”. Hidden Artists is a group of UCF faculty and staff from various departments who create art on their own time. Founded by Judy Bragg Pardo, retired Senior Art Specialist at SDES, Hidden Artists have exhibited at the John C. Hitt Library since 2008.

Now on its 11th year, the Hidden Artists Exhibit is on display at the John C. Hitt Library Main Floor, with the assistance of Special Collections & University Archives. Artwork on display include a variety of styles, subjects, and mediums, including painting, drawing, photography, jewelry, and mixed media. The exhibit features the talents of Maribel Amaro-Garcia, Kimberly Berry, Gina Clifton, Pamela Williams Gruen, Dawn Herrod, Meredith Malkin, Russ Muller, Judy Bragg Pardo, Brian Pate, M.C. Santana, as well as library staff members Jacqui Johnson and Chris Saclolo. The exhibit will run until September 28, 2018.

There will be a reception for the exhibit that is open to the public on Thursday, September 13th from 4 pm to 6 pm in the John C. Hitt Library, room 223.