The Learning Commons galleries host a wide variety of exhibits curated by the library and the university community. Main exhibit spaces include the Archives & Special Collections Gallery on the 3rd floor and the 2nd floor hall.
The library welcomes exhibit proposals from individuals and organizations that support the mission of Santa Clara University. Please see our exhibit policies for more information.
- April 2 - May 20
A photo exhibit of Mexican guest workers in the United States from 1942-1964, laborers known as braceros or "those who work with their arms."
- March 25 - May 3
A display of compelling images from students on experiences abroad.
- December 4-14, 2017
Sponsored by the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Hillel of Silicon Valley, and SCU Jewish Law Student Association
- March 29 - June 12, 2016
A selection of photographs by Polish Fulbright Senior Fellow Jerzy Durczak.
- September 14 - December 11, 2015
The first collective art show presenting work by Santa Clara University OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) members.
- February 16 - April 5, 2015
An exhibition of drawing prints by John Steczynski and Aileen Callahan on the Crucifixion as a vehicle for spiritual, prayerful reflection which is removed from political perspectives.
- March 28 - May 21, 2011
SCU students examine the issue of sustainability through their art.
- April 7 - August 27, 2010
Documenting and celebrating the fall 2009 study abroad experience working in village libraries in Burkina Faso.
- October 19 - December 4, 2009
Acknowledging and honoring the 200-year legacy of Latino journalism in the United States.
- October 13, 2009 - February 3, 2010
A photography exhibit celebrating 20 years of health and social justice presented by Santa Clara University and Partners In Health.
- September 20 - December 10, 2021
Curated by Prof. M. Antoni J. Ucerler, S.J., Director of the Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History at Boston College, this exhibit explores the reality of Jesuit missionaries in Japan in the late 16th and early 17th centuries through use of Japanese texts, European rare books, paintings, and other written and visual media. Many of these missionaries were martyred by Japanese authorities and went on to develop mythical proportions in Jesuit rhetoric.
- August 19 - September 29, 2019
Curated by Jim Blaettler, S.J., this exhibit demonstrates 17th Century polymath Athanasius Kircher, S.J.'s breadth of knowledge and endless curiosity for making connections amongst topics such as astronomy and magnetism, hieroglyphics and cryptography. The exhibit features woodcut illustrations and other elements found in the thirty-six books held in the museum Father Kircher established in Rome to reflect his vast interests, which capitalized on objects brought back by Jesuit missionaries from the far-flung corners of the earth. Copies of some of the thirty-six books held at the Museum in the Collegio Romano are available in the rare book collections of Santa Clara University and the University of San Francisco, and are included in the exhibit.
- The Art and Life of Gerald Sullivan S.J.
October 1 - December 21This posthumous exhibit of Father Sullivan’s artwork is curated by Professor Kelly Detweiler in conjunction with the release of a book about Gerald Sullivan’s art & life at Santa Clara. The exhibit shows off Father Sullivan’s education and breadth of knowledge in the humanities.
- Analog | Digital
June 7 - September 16 , 2018In spring 2018, faculty and students used Archives & Special Collections materials to explore themes of feminism throughout history. This exhibit is a collaboration between the English department and Archives & Special Collections.
- Characters in and Creators of the Bible
April 15, 2017 - April 1, 2018This exhibit juxtaposes biblical art with text in creative ways, combining bibles from Archives & Special Collections with a selection of washi prints by Sadao Watanabe. Using illustrations by contemporary biblical artists, this exhibit invites you to reconsider biblical texts as theological artifacts. Just as Jesus is the Word made flesh, every copy of the Bible is the Word made paper, leather, vellum, glue, and ink. Every printing of the Bible is an interpretation of the text, an exercise in the incarnation of Scripture. More than just a display of rare books, we invite you to treat this exhibit as itself a biblical interpretation.
- The Prophetic Spirituality of Sandra M. Schneiders Illuminated Through The Saint John’s Bible
June 27, 2016 - March 17, 2017Journey through the life of Dr. Sandra M. Schneiders in an exhibit featuring selections from Schneiders’ collection of professional papers. These materials chronicle a Spirit-filled life committed to the pursuit of God and manifested in prophetic obedience. Chronological highlights of Schneiders’ career document the emergence of key themes in her spirituality and selected artworks from The Saint John’s Bible illuminate motifs that organize the narrative of this exhibit.
- January 26 - April 8, 2016
Every generation comes with stereotypes. Generation Z, those born from 1994 on, comes with negative attributes including a short attention span, poor interpersonal communication skills, apathetic nature, and social callousness. This one-dimensional judgment has not stopped Generation Z from creating poignant, engaging art.
- September 19 - December 11, 2015
A collaborative art installation inspired by a study of the everyday lives of long-term cancer survivors.
- September 26, 2013 - January 28, 2014
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