What once was a dark forgotten office in the loft of the tech center is now a gallery full of life- still life that is.

The idea of a student run art gallery was little more than a dream in associate professor of art Rob Millard-Mendez’s head a year ago.

That dream finally became a reality last October when Roxanne Burton became the now thriving gallery’s first director.

”The gallery is run entirely by students for the benefit of students,” Burton said. “We have had a lot of feedback from students who are interested in helping or wanting to show their work, and hopefully the number of those involved will continue to grow.”

The primary goal of the gallery is to get as many students involved as possible and host a variety of shows to highlight their various artistic talents.

“As an undergraduate, it is very difficult to have your own solo or group show,” Burton said. “With this space, it is possible for students to have a showing on their resume or application for graduate school.”

Senior art major Kira Smith is one of many students who have shown their work in the gallery so far. Smith said she received fabulous feedback after her work was displayed in “Microscopic,” the first show to be placed on exhibit.

“I decided to use it as a place to show my work because I wanted to support my fellow students and because “Microscopic” was a great fit for my pieces,” Smith said. “I think it’s fantastic that we finally have a student run gallery on campus, it allows students to show work for free, and to get experience running a gallery.”

The gallery is called Storage Space, and it is currently storing the exquisite work of Jamie Williams. Her solo show is entitled “Taxidermy Me: Works by Jamie Williams.”

Williams said she hopes her show will help to raise awareness about the issue behind her inspiration and to draw more people into the gallery.

“My show was inspired by my recognition of the very public and sickening continuation of female degradation,” Williams said. “The experience of showing it has been wonderful. Everyone has been extremely supportive, and we had a great turn-out for the opening.”

William’s show will be on exhibit until Feb. 8 in the TC 109 loft, and Storage Space plans to host three more shows in the gallery before the end of the Spring Semester.