One of the greatest artists of all time, Pablo Picasso, once said: “Painting is just another way of keeping a diary,” and for contemporary artist Jonathan Chateau, he has been making entries in his art diary for three years.

UT’s Academic Affairs Committee for the Honors Council is hosting an “Art Series” to present local artists to come and speak with students about artwork in the Vaughn Center. Chateau is one of the two artists who have visited UT over the past two weeks.

He said his inspiration to become an artist came from stumbling upon a painting that he saw in Saks Fifth Avenue on Westshore.

“They had actual artwork in the department store, so I said to myself I can do this,” he said.

Chateau told The Minaret that being at UT was a completely different experience for him.

“I have been to galleries and retail stores but never really something educational where people come and ask questions. It is kind of flattering because someone comes and asks me when I am always teaching myself about art,” he said.

Another artist that visited UT a week ago was Sean Arno, who is also known as Lady Picasso.

Christin Campbell, chair-woman of the Academic Affairs Committee, said it is a good opportunity for students.

“What we are trying to do here on campus is just bring local artists so that people can be exposed to art. We want to bring it to a level so we can show that art is not just for a certain group of people, art is for everybody,” she said.

Campbell told The Minaret, it is the first time that the University has hosted an event such as this.

She said there were positive reactions from students.

“The response has been really good and we are really excited about it,” Campbell said. “The University has also gotten really involved and they have asked me to continue this and make it a monthly thing.”

Campbell also mentioned that some of the artists will actually work hands on with students.

“Some of them will actually come in and do demonstrations and let students actually come in and do their work and get the paints and brushes in their hands and actually feel what it is like to use them,” she said.

Some of the pieces that were on display in the Vaughn Center were also for sale. The paintings range from $100 to $1000.

“They are going to give lectures about their art form and a typical day in the life of artist and answer students’ questions on how to get involved,” Campbell said.