For returning students passing the Fouts Center for Visual Arts, the front brick wall may seem unusually bare. The marble miniature of Michelangelo’s “David” that once hung from the building by a lurid orange chain has disappeared.

Titled “Juxtapose,” the piece by Assistant Professor of Art Michelle Acuff originally caused a flurry of controversy. Some students found the piece at odds with the minimalist beauty of Fouts’ architecture, while others liked its daring vibe. Love it or hate it, students were naturally curious when the piece was gone at the start of the semester, inciting questions of censorship.

“We’ve been getting a surprising number of questions over [the statue],” said Amber Broel, the administrative assistant for the center. “But the answer is actually very simple.”

Rather than only displaying one art piece, the center has decided to replace the display on the building’s exterior periodically so as to show off many different styles and works of art.

All artwork displayed will be the work of Whitman College faculty members. The artists’ statements about their pieces will be accessible at the center’s front desk.

When asked what they thought of this idea, students seemed primarily positive.

“[Michelangelo’s] ‘David’ was cool, but I like the idea of changing things up,” said sophomore Gabriella Kaus. “I like that the art is all close to the Whitman community.”

Fellow sophomore Natalie Pond was equally enthusiastic about the cycling art.

“I feel like it’ll be a great way to get to know the professors,” said Pond. “I’m curious to see what else they put up.”