The LSU Museum of Art marked the spot Friday as the museum displayed its University treasures.The museum hosted its third “LSU Night” — an evening when University students, faculty and staff are granted free admission and receive a discount in the museum store.Friday’s event coincided with the University’s 150th anniversary by displaying 26 works of art from its collections that are featured in the upcoming book “Treasures of LSU.” The book, to be released this fall, includes essays and photographs of items selected as the University’s treasures.The Museum of Art staff selected works they felt were unique and were most proud to house, said Natalie Mault, assistant curator.”We chose the works by looking at the significance of the artist or each individual piece,” Mault said. “Some of them are by internationally renowned artists, which shows that something by very recognized artists could be held in a museum here in Baton Rouge and in an LSU museum.”Some of the most recognizable works at the museum include portraits by photographer Yousuf Karsh. The LSU Museum of Art features Karsh’s portraits of famous people such as Muhammad Ali and Winston Churchill.The photograph of Churchill, which appeared on a classic cover of “Life” magazine, is one of the most famous photographic portraits in the world, Mault said.”It’s the most reproduced portrait ever,” she said. “It’s kind of like the Mona Lisa of photographic portraits.”The museum also features several works by people connected to the University, including former professors. Math education sophomore Tommy Naugle said those works speak the most to him.”I really like seeing art that came from people at LSU,” Naugle said. “It’s cool to feel that connection to the University.”LSU Night is meant to attract students to the museum despite its off-campus location downtown, said Renee Payton, the museum’s marketing director.”We’re trying to engage the LSU community and get them to come out here,” Payton said. “We want to let them know this is their museum, and even though we’re not on campus, they can come here.”Jonathan Ryan, studio art senior and a member of the museum’s advisory board, said he understands why some students may not frequently visit the museum.”It’s hard to get students to go anywhere,” he said. “I understand that as a student.”But Ryan said the museum often hosts high-profile exhibits featuring famous artists like Auguste Rodin and Andy Warhol — big student attractors.Haley Weeks, child and family studies senior, said LSU Night was her first visit to the museum, and the University-related event is what got her there.”I had been meaning to go, and this is what pushed me to it,” Weeks said.The off-campus location may separate the museum from students, but Lara Gautreau, education curator, said it has its benefits.”With us being downtown, we’re a lot more visible and more community-oriented,” she said.—-Contact Ryan Buxton at [email protected]