MFA Candidate, Danita Beck wins Travel Scholarship
4/30/08

Masters of Fine Art Candidate, Danita Beck, has been selected to receive the Northwest Airlines Travel Scholarship for the Summer of 2008. Northwest Airlines selected The University of Mississippi to launch its World Travel Scholarship Program in 2007. Six scholarships each academic year are awarded to students studying abroad with The University of Mississippi. Students awarded the scholarship will receive a round trip airline ticket from Northwest Airlines and its partners. 

The Study Abroad Office interviewed 9 finalists for 2 scholarships to be awarded for the summer term, and selected Beck to receive one of the awards. Beck will use the scholarship to participate in the Watercolor in London course, which will be led by Paula Temple during the August Intersession. Beck is a 2nd year graduate from Memphis, TN.

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UM Vasari Society Guest Lecturer
04/17/08

The lecture “White Gloves: Not Just for Cotillions Anymore, The University and Small Museum/Gallery” will be presented on Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 2:00 pm in Meek Hall 120. The guest lecturer is Dr. Michelle A. Nordtorp-Madson, Chief Curator and Clinical Faculty at University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her lecture will focus on students/artists as well as art historians, who might one day work in a gallery or museum. Dr. Nordtorp-Madson will discuss her experience working in a university gallery, an ethnic-related (American-Swedish) museum, and a historical society.

This event is sponsored by the UM Vasari Society and the Department of Art.

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Student's Art Thesis Snags World Record
04/03/2008

After University of Mississippi art student Christopher Brady stretched his woodblock print thesis project "Type A" outdoors March 29, 2007, and measured it, he discovered that he had broken the world record for longest woodblock print; however, a sudden gust of wind came and ripped the print apart.

Not to be discouraged, after Brady landed his spot in the 2008 Guinness Book of World Records, he decided to further divide the 282-foot-long artwork and offer it for sale as pieces of history.

"I had my thesis show in April and since it got torn during the measuring, I just went ahead and sold off the sections. Now it is all over the Southeast, hanging in different people's living rooms," Brady said. "It is a neat way for people to have a piece of the longest woodblock print in the world and have a piece of history."

Brady completed his MFA degree at Ole Miss last year and is on the faculty at Hinds Community College in Jackson.

Explaining how he got the idea to shoot for breaking the world record, Brady said, "It was no elementary school dream or anything. But as I started making the print and got curious, I looked up the record and when I saw it, I wanted to beat it."

"Anytime artwork gets recognition, it is positive," said Sheri Rieth, UM associate professor of art who oversaw Brady's thesis. "His thesis was a great success and I am so proud of him because of his success with his work, ideas, teaching and skills."

Applying to the Guinness Book of World Records was not an easy or quick process, Brady said. After getting all his papers and applications together by mid-July to send to the Guinness Book, he did not receive confirmation until Jan. 9 that he had officially replaced the old record.

"There was a 'fast track method' to get your applications approved in days and it was $500 extra, so I didn't do it," Brady said. "But after having to wait so long, I just should have."

Brady was invited to display his work at the Mississippi Library Commission building in Jackson. The exhibit "Fluidity and Form" includes local scenes of Jackson made with watercolor monotype, a process that involves painting on Plexiglas.

"I let it dry completely and then I soak a piece of paper in water and place it on top of the image," Brady said. "I run it through a press, and the pressure squeezes out the excess water and rehydrates the watercolor. I pull the paper off and presto, there's an image."

Rieth recently selected Brady as a panelist for the international College Art Association Conference in Dallas, which had about 4,000 attendees. About 200 people attended the "Immense Prints" session, where Brady was one of five artists making presentations.

Brady intends to reprint his project within the next two years so he can have his own copy - after all, he kept all the woodblocks. Brady's only regret is that his thesis almost became more of a spectacle because of the Guinness Book record, which was not his intention.

"It represented a great chapter of my life, but I'm ready to move on," Brady said. "I mean it isn't in an art history book or anything, but I'm fine with that status."

Brady's "Fluidity and Form" is on display through the end of April at the Mississippi Library Commission, 3881 Eastwood Drive in Jackson.

For more information about Brady and his work, contact him at christopherbrady@bellsouth.net.

by Elizabeth Eyler

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The Department of Art's Annual Portfolio Day
Saturday, March 29, 2008

The University of Mississippi's Annual Spring Visit Day will be taking place on Saturday, March 29, 2008. In addition, the Department of Art will also be hosting its annual Portfolio Day on this day. High school seniors who are planning to enter Ole Miss as art majors may apply to be considered for Art Merit Scholarships for four years. Non-resident applicants may also be considered for a partial waiver for out-of-state fees.

Those who can attend Spring Visit Day should bring their portfolios along with a completed application, transcript, and two letters of recommendation on March 29th. Students should call the Department of Art at (662) 915-7193 to schedule an appointment to present their portfolios.

Students can access the application procedures at the following link: http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/art/portfolio_application.htm

Individuals who are not able to attend but wish to apply for Art Merit scholarships should also use the attached application form to apply by mail. Please make copies as necessary and note that the portfolio differs for art history and studio majors.
 
We hope to see you on March 29, Spring Visit Day. If you cannot attend, we will be pleased to provide a campus tour at another time.

If you have further questions, you can contact us at (662) 915-7193 or art@olemiss.edu

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UM Art Show @ The Powerhouse
February 21, 2008

Please join the University of Mississippi art students at the UM Art Show @
The Powerhouse reception on Thursday, February 21, 6:30-8:30 pm. The Powerhouse is located at 413 S 14th (next to Newk's).

Questions: Call the Powerhouse @ 662.236.6429 or email at
yac@watervalley.net.

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Mississippi Collegiate Art Exhibition
February 2008

The Department of Art is pleased to announce that the following students were accepted into this year’s Mississippi Collegiate Art Exhibition: Adam Yungbluth, Allen Cummings, Amy Evans, Aynslee Moon, Chris Mccaslin, Chris Sneed, Danita Beck, Jo’Crisshawn Gardner-Frierson, Josh Revord, Kym Miller, Lee McCarty, Melissa Lee, Micah Craven, Molly Wallner, Scott Dutt, and Whitney White. The awards ceremony will be February 23rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm followed by a reception from 2–4 pm at the Mississippi State University Art Department Gallery.

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Sherri Warner Hunter-Connections
January 22–February 28, 2008

The show Connections is currently on display in Meek Hall Gallery 130 from January 22nd–February 28th, 2008. It is a collection of works created by Tennessee artist Sherri Warner Hunter. Her work consists of sculptures and an interactive installation that reflect the concept of “home.” Hunter creates these sculptures using materials that are readily available around the home.

On February 28th, 2008, Hunter will also be presenting a workshop and lecture. Her workshop, “Professional Practices: Getting it out of the Studio” will provide an overview of the basic tools needed by every artist to approach opportunities to exhibit, sell or promote their artwork. Hunter’s workshop will be presented in the University Museum from 9–10:45 am, followed by a lecture at 2 pm in Meek Hall Auditorium 138. A reception will follow from 4–6 pm in Meek Hall Gallery 130.

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Mud Daubers throw handmade 'Empty Bowls,' raise hunger awareness with soup fundraiser
February 7, 2008

In an effort to raise hunger awareness, a group of Oxford and Ole Miss artists, restaurateurs and volunteers will host the fifth annual Empty Bowls fundraiser benefiting the Oxford Food Pantry.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the Oxford-University United Methodist church.

Those in attendance can buy a handmade bowl filled with soup for $15 and take the bowl home as a reminder and symbol of the event. The bowls have been donated by local potters and the soup by 15 local restaurants.

"(The Empty Bowls program) is a great idea because not only are we donating our time, but we are also giving our skills and applying them rather than just donating money," Mike Ashley, a first-year Master of Fine Arts candidate who made more than 100 bowls for the event, said.

Ashley, who is from Springfield, Mo., spent a lot of time with his hands in the clay in preparation for the fundraiser.

"I sat down and made 80 bowls in one day," Ashley said. "That's a lot."

Ashley, along with his fellow fine art students the Mud Daubers, a local Girl Scout troop and a few local potters, hand-fashioned and delivered 1,000 freshly glazed and fired bowls on Monday in preparation for the event. The hardest part was making time to make the bowls, but it was worth it, Ashley said.

While the time it takes to craft an individual bowl varies, each batch (80 to 100) takes 18 hours to fire in the oven, he said.

Although this is Ashley's first year at Ole Miss, he has participated in Empty Bowls in years past in his hometown. Along with other ceramic students, he will be volunteering at the luncheon Thursday.

"Hopefully people will take the bowls home and eat cereal, or eat ice cream or something, and when they're done they'll be reminded there are people who don't always have food to eat," he said.

June Rosentreter, pantry affiliate and local coordinator of the event, said she thinks "in terms of bowls" when expressing her expectations for this year's event.

She said last year more than 900 people attended the event and purchased bowls, raising nearly $15,000. At $15 a bowl, the event should meet the same mark as last year.

The pantry serves more than 400 families in Oxford, Rosentreter said. The money raised will help the pantry buy more food and pay for maintenance costs, she said.

The pantry is currently located in a trailer next to the Oxford Police Station on Molly Barr Road.

The non-profit organization opens its doors every Wednesday to an average of 70 families per week. Their food is delivered from the Memphis food bank at a rate of 16 cents a pound. The food bank distributes the excess stock donated by local grocery stores.

Rosentreter estimated the pantry is usually able to feed a small family for around $10 a week, and families who visit the pantry can range from one to 10 people.

"The average family we get here is one where they have lost their job. Many times this is for health problems, or they have been laid off," she said. "We have a lot of families who will work if they can find a job. We also have a group that has never worked, but they do have children."

A family usually receives enough food for a week, though visitors are limited to two visits per year unless they are over the age of 65. However, Rosentreter said this policy is not "set in stone."

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2004, 19.3 percent of Mississippians lived below the poverty level. In Lafayette County, 16.2 percent fell below the poverty line. In 2006 the estimated population of Lafayette County was 40,865.

According to the Empty Bowls Web site, http://www.emptybowls.net, the program was created in 1990 by a high school art teacher in Michigan in order to help students raise money for a local food drive. In the 18 years since, it has spread into communities across the country.

by Andrew Abernathy

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