Undergraduate art students have the opportunity this weekend to explore ‘new perspectives.’ The University’s Art History Association will hold the symposium ‘New Perspectives in Visual Culture’ starting tomorrow. According to the AHA Web site, the symposium invites young scholars from Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania and New York to ‘gather in Bowling Green to present original research topics concerning the history of art.’ Students will discuss current issues in art history and they also plan to organize excursions to museums, galleries and lectures. The panels are open to undergraduate students only. Mark Zuzik, president of AHA, said this symposium is different than the mainstream ones. The speakers are not professors who are giving lectures, they are undergraduate students who speak about their research in art history, and then discuss in smaller panels. ‘This symposium is to get a foot in the door,’ he said. ‘Normally undergrad students cannot present their work as an art student can do in a gallery. This will give the students experience in presenting their work.’ Zuzik also said it will help students find jobs or schools for grad students in art history. During the event there are five categories in which the panels discuss the presented papers. Zuzik thinks ‘Observation and Gender’ will be very interesting, a panel which will talk about the historical reaction on gender issues in art. The students who are talking about their work are not only students from this University, but also from five other states, to broaden horizons and bring new perspecitves. Advisor Ruthy Light helps the students with organizing the event. She also helped get Larry Nichols, from the Toledo Museum of Art, as the keynote speaker at the symposium. ‘The biggest surprise will be the audience,’ Light said. ‘We really don’t have an idea how many people will come, but everybody is welcome.’ The event will be held in the Fine Arts Building in room 204, and start at 9 a.m. with breakfast. It is free and open to the public.