In winter, the University of Virginia鈥檚 Grounds take on a quieter beauty. With the lush foliage of warmer months now dormant, the season invites a closer look at the small details that often fade into the background of daily life.
University Communications photographers Matt Riley and Lathan Goumas used this time to turn their lenses toward those overlooked textures, patterns and moments. Take a closer look with them as they share what inspired and captivated them about the subtle details that help define UVA.
(Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
The windows of New Cabell Hall reflect Old Cabell Hall. Completed in 1898, Old Cabell Hall enclosed the Lawn at the south end of the Academical Village. New Cabell Hall opened in 1952, adding 40 classrooms and 175 offices.
鈥淚 was drawn to the contrast of the modern nature of the windows reflecting the historic features of Old Cabell,鈥 Goumas said.
(Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
Layers of paint cover Beta Bridge. Originally known as the Rugby Road Bridge, it became known as Beta Bridge in 1927, when the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house was built next to it. The number 2006 appears embedded in the layers of paint, inviting viewers to wonder what lies above and below it.
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
This close-up detail of a spike on 麻豆破解版 standard path light fixture, known as an 鈥淓dgewater,鈥 can be found throughout Grounds, dating back to the 1930s and originally made by Westinghouse.
鈥淚n my 20 years at UVA, I鈥檝e always loved the subtle character these lights add to the architecture on Grounds,鈥 Riley said. 鈥淭hey are a staple of the UVA landscape that I feel are often overlooked. I also love the texture of the frosted glass.鈥
(Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
The sun shines on the seat of a ladder-back rocking chair outside a room on the West Range. The iconic chairs sit outside the Lawn and Range rooms. Graduating residents are allowed to take their chairs with them if they desire. Clore Furniture, located just north of Charlottesville in Madison, crafts the chairs by hand.
鈥淚 was drawn to how the sun created distinct shadows and shapes of the rush strands that make up the seat,鈥 Goumas said.
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
A section of stained glass from a UVA Chapel window draws the eye with its bold pattern and color. Most of the chapel鈥檚 windows are original to the 1884-90 construction, designed by J. & R. Lamb & Sons in New York.
鈥淲hile there are many unique figures and designs on the windows, this one caught my eye as I was exiting the chapel. It reminded me of a Rubik鈥檚 Cube, and then as I looked closer, I was drawn to the crack in the yellow piece of glass,鈥 Riley said.
(Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
A botanical pattern wraps the base of the flagpole on the west side of the Rotunda plaza. The flagpoles were installed around 1917 as part of a project to beautify the north side of the Rotunda, which included the addition of Moses Ezekiel鈥檚 statue of Thomas Jefferson in 1910. The botanical pattern is indicative of the City Beautiful movement popular at the time.
(Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
Paint strokes are visible in the face of a dog in a mural in Old Cabell Hall. Artist Lincoln Perry began the work in 1996 and completed the first stage of the mural, 鈥淭he Student鈥檚 Progress,鈥 in 2000.
鈥淚 used a flash to create shadows and depth that showed the brush strokes of the mural,鈥 Goumas said.
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
A sycamore tree that鈥檚 part of the grove northwest of the Rotunda envelops the stone wall along University Avenue.
鈥淚 was waiting at the crosswalk to head to Madison Hall when I noticed the tree growing on top of the wall,鈥 Riley said. 鈥淚鈥檝e passed by that tree hundreds of times, but because I was reading the historic marker while waiting at the crosswalk, my eyes were drawn to the tree while looking in that direction. It鈥檚 quite a sight and a marvelous reminder of the power of Mother Nature.鈥
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Weathered books line the shelves of the Shannon Library. Located in the heart of Grounds, the library houses more than 1.2 million volumes. The worn spines serve as a reminder of the past and the enduring power of learning.
鈥淚鈥檝e always been fascinated by the clean lines, patterns and textures of books on the shelves in a library,鈥 Riley said.
(Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
Mail slots along the Lawn vary in size and shape, reflecting decades of installation and repair. Some older slots are too small to fit a magazine, while newer versions are adapted to accommodate larger delivery envelopes.
鈥淚 was waiting to meet a 鈥楲awnie鈥 for a photo recently and noticed the mail slots were different on the door next door, so I kept looking at the different mail slots and this one with the words LETTERS stood out to me,鈥 Riley said.
