It’s rare that we can see, right in from of us, the products of students’ time spent at TCU, so when we can, it’s worth visiting.Moudy Building North, which houses art, art history and graphic design, almost always has interesting displays, varying from student work to teacher’s to juried local shows. And it’s always very interesting.

But right now is the time to visit; it is when we can really see what’s going on.

I say this because the first of the student art exhibits is now in the Moudy building.

Every year, the graduating seniors and graduate students display their work before they leave, giving us an opportunity to see what they’ve been up to, as well as possible employers and purchasers.

The first four exhibits are Master’s Thesis exhibits, so each of the graduating masters students in studio art have one week to show off their work. That week, the student fills the entire gallery in Moudy with his or her work, beginning with a Monday opening reception. This is a great time to go and meet the artist, discuss his or her work and share in light refreshments.

Following these, there is a senior studio art show and a senior graphic design show.

All of these shows provide an excellent opportunity to see what’s happening in art at TCU.

This morning, I walked through Steven Battle’s show, “Skinned,” and was pleased to discover interesting pieces all made of polymer and pigment. They made an elaborate, colorful sort of netting that was fun to view.

Each show has a completely different selection of art, so I know that even if this one hadn’t appealed to me (it did), the next one might.

I don’t often get a chance to visit a museum or art gallery, but I can’t turn down a show on campus, just waiting for me to come by.

The chance to see art at this level is interesting; I always wonder if some day I will walk into a museum and see a painting, sculpture or other piece of art by one of the artists displayed at TCU now. And I will be able to say, “I saw his work when he was just a new artist starting out; he graduated from my school.”

I have even considered buying work here. I will be moving from an apartment into a house when I graduate and will be met with many empty walls. This might be the time to acquire art. While I don’t know where I’d put one of Battle’s works, I was astounded when I saw how many he was selling for just $200.

Whether I decide to purchase anything, it’s worth looking. There are a lot of interesting things going on in Moudy, and I’d hate to think I was missing out.

And the gallery wasn’t the only thing of interest; right now the whole building is stuffed with student art projects: paintings, sculpture, ceramics and plush projects. It’s quite an experience.

The Moudy building may be on the outer edge of campus, but it’s worth the trek. Make the effort to see at least one show before the year ends. And if you’ve already seen one, see another.

Opinion editor Stephanie Weaver is an English, philosophy and French major from Westwood, Kan.