The Harlow | Kleven Collection is exhibited regularly in the Watermark Art Center with selected prints and ceramics loaned to other public areas on campus and in the community.
We at BSU take this moment to remember the life and work of expert potter Cyrus Swann. We are saddened by his sudden passing in June 2025; our students who took his ceramics classes had the great fortune to work with an incredible craftsperson and extremely talented artist, and we professors from the Technology, Art and Design Department will do our best to continue his legacy. Included in this display are some of his ceramics from our collection. – contributed by Bemidji State University & the BSU Harlow/Kleven Gallery at Watermark Art Center
Joy and Magic in Saturated Color
EXHIBIT September 29 – January 23, 2026
Color is more than just visual: it’s emotional. There is magic in color; a kind of spell woven through light and perception. Saturated colors (bright, vivid, and pure) don’t just catch the eye- they uplift the soul. Whether it’s the golden glow of a deep yellow or the bold intensity of crimson red, colors often evoke joy, excitement, and vitality.
Research supports what many instinctively feel: saturated colors can boost our mood. A study by Valdez and Mehrabian (1994) found that highly saturated colors are linked to greater emotional arousal and pleasure. Neuroscience echoes this- Zeki and Marini (1998) demonstrated that vibrant hues activate parts of the brain tied to reward and emotion, suggesting that color can indeed spark happiness.
Artists, healers, and dreamers have long understood the power of color. We wear it as armor, paint it in sacred circles, and cast it into our lives to charm the mundane. Saturated colors are emotional alchemy, turning ordinary moments, golden, electric, and alive.
