The HUB Gallery is severely undervalued by Penn State students. You’ve probably seen it on your trek through the HUB. The only day it’s not open is Monday, so it’s always accessible, but seeing a student enter one of the HUB’s art galleries is unlikely. That should change.

The HUB Galleries feature three distinct exhibit locations: the Robeson Gallery, which is nestled under the HUB and currently hidden by construction, the HUB Gallery that’s tucked to the side of the first floor with open glass doors, and Art Alley, which is probably the most viewed space of all, since it’s located beside the HUB Gallery where countless students do their work.

The goal of the galleries is to “bring diverse and contemporary exhibitions to the entire University community” and “provide educational experiences beyond the classroom.”

“Not a lot of people like to visit,” said Tatios. “It really fluctuates because sometimes professors will bring in whole classes or we can get a couple hundred people during receptions, but we might get 10 visitors a day.”

“Storied Images: Marcellus Shale” will move into the now-unoccupied Art Alley on Oct. 2. Penn State students who are enrolled in Photo402 and Photo497D produced the photography exhibition. It focuses on the environmental, social and economic impacts of Marcellus Shale gas development and fracking.

The galleries exhibit any kind of medium of art also. The HUB Gallery has sculptures now as well as some interesting portrayals of President Barack Obama.

Currently on exhibit in the HUB Gallery is “The Fluidity of Gender by Linda Stein.” The show features several thought-provoking female torsos. The goal of the artist in making these pieces was to “transform social consciousness and promote activism for gender justice.” There will be an artist talk on Oct. 1 in the Freeman Auditorium, where Stein will discuss the work and her inspiration behind the pieces. At the public reception following the talk, visitors will even be able to try on some of her pieces, as a way for participants to “change skins with varying gender bending results.”

The Robeson Gallery will feature a show titled “Justice: Faces of the Human Rights Revolution,” starting Sept. 25. Photographer Mariana Cook’s exhibit presents black and white photo portraits of human rights activists paired with short first-person accounts of what compels them to pursue justice.

The gallery attendants are more than willing to answer any questions and would probably love to have more students enter the galleries, since the attendance is usually pretty sparse.

The galleries enjoy student feedback. Surveys are placed around the gallery and they are interested in knowing what students think that the galleries can improve on.