by Theresa Reyes

An interview with Cynthia Camlin, director of Creative Research Laboratory.

ADA: What is the Creative Research Laboratory (CRL) and how did the idea come about?

Cynthia Camlin: The Department (of Art & Art History at UT) has known that the Blanton Museum would be moving and building a new art museum and would no longer be able to do department shows (during the museum's construction phase). We knew that we needed to have some kind of interim space and started looking off campus. And Flatbed (Press) was chosen. We gave the lab the name that we did because we didn't want to give the impression that it's just an exhibition space. Part of the space is for exhi-bitions. Part of it is for studios for grad students and more workshop and collaboration space for guest artists.

ADA: UT already has a nationally recognized art museum that is used by the community. Why create another public art space?

CC: Many people are working very hard to strengthen visual art institutions in Austin and to bring them to a new level. The Blanton has made extremely important additions to its collection in the last two years and is embarking on a new building, as is the Austin Museum of Art. TFAA opened the Jones Center for Contemporary Art, and a handful of other galleries have sprung up as well. This a pivotal time of growth for the visual arts culture of Austin, but it is potentially threatened by the economic situation. The UT Studio Art and Design programs are nationally respected and attract students from across the country and internationally. Yet, these programs are not fully utilized by the local arts community. CreativeResearch Laboratory, with a year-round exhibition schedule and a dedicated space for programs, will broaden the department's impact and contribute overall to Austin's visual arts culture.

ADA: How does the CRL plan to bridge the gap in the arts community that exists between UT and Austin?

CC: I think the fact that it's off campus is a big plus. I think it's going to make more people look at the work of faculty and students than in the past. We're reaching out and adding something to the community. We have an Art Education program and a Visual Arts Studies program that have partnerships with schools and community arts programs in the city. We've been talking to them about how we can have exhibitions that are related to their work in the community. One thing we did was host two Gallery 106 events in this space for the Cuban gallery.

ADA: Will the CRL show work created by artists who have no UT affiliation?

CC: It will be predominately UT, but there is no kind of policy that has been set about there not being non-UT people in here. In fact we're hosting a show of John Alexander who has no UT connection in December. We've had some ideas, although it needs to be things that have an education role and a community role. And we'll always be going between those two things and balancing them in the shows.

ADA: Will there be any collaboration between the CRL and other galleries such as Women and Their Work, d berman or ACA?

CC: There very likely could be some coordinated shows. I think that would be wonderful. They're all thrilled and supportive of this happening.

ADA: How is the CRL funded and how will it sustain itself?

CC: The operations of the lab are supported by the department, the College of Fine Arts and the University.

ADA: What are the CRL's current and upcoming exhibitions?

CC: This is kind of a transition year. The first three shows are all faculty. We divided it into three groups based on what people are doing currently. The second show opens January 17th and the third in February. Each show will have a different character to it. Then we'll have an undergraduate student show, an MFA show, and the senior design show will happen after that. Then we'll probably have some project shows by proposal in the summer.

[For more information on the Creative Research Laboratory, contact Cynthia Camlin at (512) 322-2099, or check out UT's Department of Art & Art History website at www.utexas.edu/cofa/a_ah.]