For the last few years, Joni Noble would meet Marcia Scott every summer in London for lunch. One summer, Noble suggested how great it would be for Scott to come to ULM. Scott was ecstatic about the idea.

“I couldn’t believe it. Why would she want to come to Monroe when she has a show in New York City?” said Noble, an art professor.

Noble was not only excited to have her London friend here but also for the students to have a chance to meet someone like her.

Scott is an international, full-time artist, and Noble said students here don’t really encounter a person like that very often.

The “Gallery Talk” and reception for Scott’s “We Are All Related” exhibition took place last Thursday and many students stayed behind to have a chance to speak with Scott.

Scott found that the students seemed blown away by her artwork and some of them told her “they connected with it in a way some of them say they’ve never connected with art before.”

Abstract art started in America in the 1960s, and Scott believes it really put America center stage.

“A lot of people identify with abstract art as a very important part of American heritage and I certainly think abstract has a much more universal impact,” said Scott. “America, they’ve identified with that and acknowledged that.”

Scott said whether America is impressed with abstract art now or not, there is more openness to it.

Taja Carriere, a sophomore art major, was in awe of Scott’s large-scale, colorful pieces. She said she absolutely loves abstract art.

“It’s beautiful. It gives you an opportunity to look at it in different ways. It’s not something you see everyday,” Carriere said.

Scott’s exhibit in Bry Art Gallery will continue until Nov. 26, and Scott said she is looking forward to being involved with the creative life in Monroe and get students from all disciplines together to think of ideas for a better future.

“To actually kind of dream and make practical solutions for a better world and creativity workshops to introduce everybody to the power creativity,” Scott said.

Scott called it a revelation of love through art.