Mark Pease, left, an associate professor in digital media in SIU Carbondale’s School of Art and Design, and Library Affairs Dean William Walters with SIU NEW FRAME, a 7-foot-high, large-format LED display board. The display board, located on the library’s first floor, will highlight digital art from around the world. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
September 09, 2026
SIU Morris Library launches large digital art display on Sept. 15
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Morris Library will unveil an initiative that highlights digital art from around the world next week.
Proposed by Mark Pease, an associate professor in digital media in the School of Art and Design, the SIU NEW FRAME, a 7-foot-high, large-format LED display board, debuts on Tuesday, Sept. 15 across from Delyte’s on the library’s first floor.
The initial series, “The Frame — Inaugural Exhibition,” displays work submitted by artists from China, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden, Taiwan and from throughout the United States. Works by regional, national and international artists will be curated into exhibitions that rotate quarterly and play continuously when the library is open.
Pease said the exhibition is intended to expand the types of artwork on display around campus and in the library, and to show digital art by a diverse range of makers and from diverse locations.
The submissions are moving images — including animation, video and motion graphics without sound. Submissions are by open call. Applications for future exhibitions will be on the SIU NEW FRAME website for questions, exhibitions and proposals.
Pleased by initial response
Pease said he is “amazed” by some of the artists who submitted for the inaugural exhibition. He will invite guest artists and curators to collaborate on upcoming themes and make selections.
“There are some amazing artists from all over the world.” Pease said. “I think everyone on campus will benefit from the display of this type of art. Hopefully its reputation will spread and we can be known for having a digital art platform on campus.”
Digital art in many forms
Pease noted Library Affairs Dean William Walters’ support for digital art on campus, adding that people view artistic images every day on their smartphones already. This larger screen, he said, creates a space for public art.
“I thought we could create a program like many have seen in places like Times Square or Las Vegas that have large LED screens showing works by digital artists,” Pease said. “Libraries, transit stations and other buildings are all being designed with panels to display moving images and artworks to enhance aesthetic experiences in public spaces. It's a huge industry. Our screen isn't as large as those in Times Square, but it does fit in well with the other artworks in the library.”
The project was funded by a grant from SIU’s Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, with support from Library Affairs.
As with all exhibitions, the artwork represents the viewpoints of its creators, not SIU. SIU complies with the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act and State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.