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Spring 2008
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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Graduate 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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