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Monday, May 1, 2017

Marjorie Schick: 50 Years Innovating Art for the Body


During a half-century of mentoring students and creating art, Professor Marjorie Schick has fostered a legion of teachers and artists and earned an international reputation as evidenced by articles in numerous publications and artworks in collections of art museums around the world.

Her exhibition, “50 Years Innovating Art for the Body” features colorful body sculptures and large-scaled sculptural jewelry. See it in Porter Hall’s University Gallery from April 11 through May 6, 2017. Professor Schick will hold a public lecture May 6, at 3:00-4:00, in Room 109 Grubbs Hall with a reception to follow in the Harry Krug Gallery in Porter Hall from 4:00-5:30 pm. 




Dr. James B. M. Schick, Professor in the History Department, PSU, author, and for more than 30 years, editor of Midwest Quarterly, and Marjorie, started teaching at PSU in 1967. Together, their combined commitment to PSU is a remarkable 100 years. During that time, both achieved University Professor level and national and international recognition.

Calling herself “quietly rebellious,” Schick’s body sculptures and large-scaled jewelry cross
the boundaries separating jewelry, sculpture, and fashion. Her work came to the attention of an international audience in the 80s with a series of painted dowels that explored not only color and three-dimensional form but also the scale of the objects in relationship to the human body. She has continued an experimental approach and in 2004 was one of 100 contemporary craft artists interviewed for the Archives of American Art Oral History Program, Smithsonian Institution, as part of the Nanette L. Laitman Documentation Project for Craft and Decorative Arts in America (find it online). As part of the project, her papers have been requested for the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art. 



In an interview in 2016, Schick stated “My work not only brings the wearer and the viewer to question what constitutes jewelry, but also how the wearer navigates life’s spaces and what adornment truly means. I am encouraging a reconsideration of what materials are suitable for jewelry as well. . . . In the past, of course, precious metals and stones were prevalent—though societies have defined precious variously—but I use . . . materials that aren’t precious . . . paper, wood, wire, canvas and paint.”

Schick received a B.S. in Art Education (with honors) from the University of Wisconsin and an M.F.A. (with distinction) from Indiana University in Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing. Her work has since been added to museum collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington, D.C.; the Museum of Arts and Design, New York; the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City; the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; the Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum, Athens; the Pinakothek der Moderne, Munich; and the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Japan.

She has presented lectures at numerous conferences, universities, and museums worldwide
in places such as Helsinki, Finland; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Perth, Australia. Other locations include the Society of North American Goldsmiths Conferences in Toronto and Denver; Seoul National University, South Korea; the University of the Arts, Tokyo, Japan, and the Yale University Art Gallery, Connecticut. Schick was one of a handful of Americans who participated in the cultural events that are required for the Olympics, in her case making jewelry in a workshop/ exhibition sponsored by the Winter Games in Lillehammer, Norway, and making a BBC video funded as part of the Summer Games in London. A lavishly illustrated examination of her work, Sculpture to Wear: the Jewelry of Marjorie Schick was published in 2007 by Arnoldsche Art Publishers of Stuttgart, Germany.


Join with us to celebrate this amazing career. Teacher. Artist. Friend. 

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

The END etc.


The Seniors of Pittsburg State University’s Department of Art invite you to join them in viewing their public exhibition The END etc. The exhibit features the student’s selected final projects in their respective emphases and will be on view in Porter Hall’s Harry Krug Gallery April 24 through May 5, 2017. 

Our graduating seniors in 2017 are Luis Calderon (Illustration & Visual Storytelling),  Susan Covert (Illustration & Visual Storytelling), Brianna Gillis (2D Fine Art), Lauryn Hastert (2D Fine Art), Cameron Parks (Illustration & Visual Storytelling), Mattie Parrigon (Illustration & Visual Storytelling), Ashley Tyson (Illustration & Visual Storytelling), and Brittney Walton (Illustration & Visual Storytelling).


The students will hold lectures discussing their works on April 28 in two sessions the first being from 5:00-6:00pm and the second from 7:00-8:00pm in Russ Hall, Room 409. In between these lectures, there will be a reception from 6:00-7:00pm in Porter Hall. There is no obligation to stay for the duration of the evening, please feel free to attend the presentations of your choice. 

When choosing a title, the senior class first selected, simply, The End because their time growing and learning together in Porter Hall was coming to a close. After some thought, they added etc. to signify that although a huge part of their lives was ending, another exciting part was just about to begin.

We are very proud of our seniors and welcome you to join us in celebrating their achievements. Hope to see you there! 


Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Upcoming: High School Art Day, Spring 2017

It is time once again for the Pittsburg State University Department of Art's High School Art Day! On Tuesday, April 25th we will be hosting groups of students from all over the region. They will participate in workshops led by our students, to get some hands on experience with a new art technique, and to get a feel for the kind work we do here at the university. As with all of our High School Art Day events, we will also be holding an art competition for the students in attendance, judged by alumni of the program. This year's judges are Michael DeRosa and Janelle Null.

We're looking forward to welcoming all of the students next week! Below are some pictures from last semester's High School Art Day workshops. Our undergraduate workshop leaders had a great time, and so did their students!










Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Lasting Impressions in the University Gallery

A new exhibition is on display in the University Gallery in Porter Hall until December 1st. Lasting Impressions: Printed Masters from the Leonard H. Axe Library Special Collections features a selection of prints from the library's Special Collections in order to highlight one of the Collection's many strengths, as well as to celebrate the printmaking, one of several art-making processes taught here at Pitt State. The exhibition includes work by several notable artists, such as Käthe Kollwitz, Otto Dix, Aubrey Beardsley, Joan Miró, Marc Chagall, Fransisco Goya, and more.


The Special Collections and Archives departments contain material pertaining primarily to Kansas and Pittsburg State University, specializing in printed materials from Southeast Kansas, its culture and inhabitants, as well as the correspondence, libraries, business files and memorabilia of significant Southeast Kansans. In addition, the Special Collections has a significant amount of artwork. Lasting Impressions was curated by two Pittsburg State University undergraduate students, Brittney Walton and Morgan Vietti, both of whom have worked with the Department of Art for several years. 



A printmaking demonstration, led by Professor S. Portico Bowman, was held at Porter Hall on September 7th as part of the programming associated with the exhibition. On September 8th, Curator of Special Collections Steve Cox gave a talk about the material included in the exhibition, followed by a talk by Assistant Professor Emmalyn Gennis about the relevancy of printmaking to 21st-century art-making, and a reception. Lasting Impressions will be on display in the University Gallery until December 1st. 

Monday, May 2, 2016

Art Students Honored For Research Colloquium Presentation

Students from Jamie Oliver's Mural Painting class participated in Pittsburg State University's annual Research Colloquium this spring and were awarded first place in Category C Creative Works Oral research presentation. The students collaborated to present work in both the poster competition as well as the oral presentation competition on "Practice-Based Investigation of Large Scale Client-Based Artwork Production," in which they discussed the design process, working with clients, the execution of the works, and conclusions from the Fall Mural Class producing four 6'X6' paintings for Axe Library. 




BFA students Lauryn Hastert presented the poster, and Brianna Harris gave the oral presentation, but the research and work was also shared by Luis Calderon, Jared Jennings, Leslie Van Loenen, Lauren Downing, Shandara Richardson, Aaron Skapik, Sarah Walden, Brittney Walton, Ithaca Marlier and Gaga Zheng. The Research colloquium took place on April 7th. 



Representing the group at the Research Banquet on April 25th to accept the award were Brianna Harris, Luis Calderon, Lauryn Hastert, and Aaron Skapik. The abstract for their award-winning presentation can be read below. Congrats to all of the students who participated!

Abstract:

This practice-based research aims to develop unique knowledge in the areas of experience and representational learning through the design and execution of 4 large- scale paintings client based artworks.  While supporting the mission of the Department of Art, the arts on campus, and creative research this project will culminate by bringing artwork into the Axe Library. 

The project allows students to merge their artistic skillsets with the demands of the client utilizing a practice- based visual output as both material and creative representations of knowledge.  This investigation will engage aspects of student visual research and design, input from the client, and knowledge of artistic skillsets, both from prior experiences and those gained from the execution of the project. 

Through developing visual strategies in the design and execution phases of the work this study will explore how the resulting paintings might support the representation of knowledge in the field.  Central to this investigation will be the development of material knowledge through learning new craft based skills and how the development of this knowledge or skillsets might influence future artwork creation on the part of the collaborators.  

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

Please Join Us for Divergent Generation

The senior undergraduates of the Department of Art would like to invite you to Divergent Generation, the culmination of the Exhibition Design class, and for those student who will be graduating this spring, their studies here at Pitt State. The exhibition in the Harry Krug Gallery here at Porter Hall was organized, designed, and installed by the student artists: Gretchen Burns, David Bush, Hannah Coward, Jacqueline Denton, Molly McVey, Jessica Purevich, Robert Raio, and Whitney Reeves.






Please join us in Porter Hall to hear the artists lecture on their work this Thursday, April 28th, starting at 4pm. Therewill be speaker from 4-5pm and 6-7pm, with a reception in between. Divergent Generation will be on display in Porter Hall until Friday, May 6th.

Monday, April 25, 2016

Read an Interview with Professor Emeritus Marjorie Schick on Art Jewelry Forum

Art Jewelry Forum recently published an interview of Pitt State's own Marjorie Schick by artist/designer Matt Lambert. Schick creates bold and colorful wearable art, and has taught in Pitt State's Department of Art for nearly 50 years. Lambert begins the interview, titled "Who's Afraid of Marjorie Schick?," by describing Schick's work:

"Gaudy. Oversized. Humorous. 'So American.' Marjorie Schick has been making louder work than anyone else in the field for the last 55 years. She also worked with performance as early as 1977, and tested the idea of integrating wearable elements into static, sculptural objects before everyone else, while also flirting with the vernacular of fashion. Today, she stands as a model of fearlessness for a younger generation of jewelers interested in the radical scale and colors of her work."




Read the entire interview on the Art Jewelry Forum website.

Monday, April 18, 2016

Gwen Walstrand and Sarah Perkins Artists' Talk

The Pittsburg State University Department of Art invites you to welcome photographer Gwen Walstrand and metalsmith/enamellist Sarah Perkins to campus this week to talk about their work currently on display in the University Gallery of the Pittsburg State University Museum of Art. Walstrand and Perkins, both professors from Missouri State University, will give a presentation at 3pm on Thursday, April 21st, to be followed by a reception in the Harry Krug Gallery from 4-6pm. The exhibition, Cairo, Illinois, will be on display through May 6th. 




Gwen Walstand and Sarah Perkins Exhibition Statement:
“Driving through what remains of Cairo it appears to an outsider that most of the town, along with its historic buildings and extensive business district, was abandoned within the same year, as nearly all the structures are in the same state of decay. In actuality, many events and circumstances caused precipitous decline of Cairo. The town’s history includes booming success as a shipping town at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, elegant hotels and mansions, and an impressive business district. The more recent history is one of race riots, appalling violence, multiple lynchings, domination by white supremacist groups, and eventual boycotts of local businesses by African Americans. The 1920s city of over 15,000 people now is home to under 3,000 people, hundreds of strangely patched up, decaying buildings, and a handful of struggling businesses.
The enameled bowls are a response to not only the reality of present day Cairo, but also to the images of it that were chosen by the photographer. The work seen together offers insight into the working processes of the artists and the choices made by different viewers. The photographer gathers and selects visual material; the metalsmith/enamellist edits the material again and transforms the flat images into three dimensions, but on a functional form that speaks to basic human requirements. The photographs, as both independent images and references for the bowls, are aesthetic explorations of Cairo but with an attempt to consider more deeply the complexity of human histories that form such places.”

Monday, April 11, 2016

Sketchbooks from Structural Anatomy and Figure Drawing


The Structural Anatomy and Figure Drawing course (ART 433) is a required course for studio art majors at Pitt State. This class focuses on analysis of the human figure with an emphasis on structural anatomy through drawing, and the study of the skeleton and muscle groups as they affect volume and outward appearance. At various points in the course, students draw from a model, skeleton, anatomical casts and memory.

Image from sketchbook of Luis Calderon
This semester, students in this class began working in their sketchbooks to learn the skeleton and organization of the figure.  They have moved on to drawing from the model, but continue to work regularly in their sketchbooks. Below are a few sample images from two student sketchbooks.

Image from sketchbook of Luis Calderon
Image from sketchbook of Luis Calderon
Image from sketchbook of Luis Calderon 
Image from sketchbook of Mattie Parrigon 
Image from sketchbook of Mattie Parrigon
Image from sketchbook of Mattie Parrigon

Monday, April 4, 2016

Slipcasting in Pitt State Sculptural Ceramics Class

Slipcasting is a technique that allows sculptors and ceramicists to make multiple copies of the same object. As plaster mould is created, into which clay can be poured to create a cast of that mould. A few years ago, faculty member S. Portico Bowman attended a moldmaking and slipcasting workshop hosted by Bracker's ceramics and led by world renowned artist Andrew Martin. She is now bringing this technique to students in PSU ceramic classes, along with Professor Malcolm Kucharski, who has perfected our slip casting recipe. Below are images of undergraduate students Whitney Reeves and Redd Williams exploring the technique for Bowman's Sculptural Ceramics class.

Whitney (left) has plans for a multi-tiered sculpture and Redd (right) will create an installation piece.



Monday, March 28, 2016

Associate Professor Josie Mai on Her Process


Josie Mai is Associate Professor of Art Education here at Pittsburg State University. Mai is this month's Neosho Arts Council featured artist, and spoke with them recently about her process creating hand-rubbed collage works (video below).


This months featured artist Josie Mai talks about the process of creating her hand rubbed collage pieces. #NeoshoArts
Posted by Neosho Arts Council on Thursday, March 10, 2016


Originally from Kansas City, Mai received her undergraduate degree and certification in art education from the University of Kansas. She taught art to urban and suburban high school students in the Kansas City area's public schools and not-for-profit organizations such as Studio 150 and Chameleon, Inc. Mai went on to receive her Masters of Fine Arts at Parsons School of Design in New York City. Before joining our faculty at Pitt State, she taught at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri for several years. She has also worked closely with the George A Spiva Center for the Arts developing curriculum, public art, exhibitions, and events.

Letter from Georgia. Acrylic and collage on cardboard.
Bamboo. Collage on canvas. 

The Neosho Arts council held a reception for Mai on March 10th at the Neosho Area Chamber of Commerce. Mai also has upcoming shows in the Urban Art Gallery and Post Art Library in Joplin, MO.


SeaSky. Collage on canvas.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Student Spotlight: Jacqueline Denton

As part of our new "Student Spotlight" series, the Pittsburg State University Department of Art blog will be periodically highlighting the work of one of our students. This week, we're featuring the work of Jacqueline Denton, a senior 2D Studio Art major from right here in Pittsburg, KS. As part of her educational program here at Pitt State, Jacqueline participated in an internship working with the artist Oliver Hibert. This internship resulted in an exhibition of her work alongside Hibert's at the Palabra Gallery in Phoenix, AZ. 



Department of Art: What was your path to pursuing an art degree at Pitt State? What got you interested in art?

Jacqueline Denton: One of my earliest childhood memories are of me coloring at a desk with markers my mom had bought for me on my 4th birthday. A lot of my childhood memories are of making things, or having art class in school. My mom is an art teacher, as well as highly resourceful and creative, and always encouraged me to be creative, too. I also had a great art teacher in middle school, Mrs. Pate, who always encouraged me and my ability, and made me realize that I actually had one. Art is the only thing in my life that has ever felt natural for me. 

DA: Tell us about your work. What type of work do you most enjoy creating? How would you define your artistic style? 

JD: This is still hard for me to describe to people. I would say my work is bold, psychedelic, surreal, dark, and whimsical. My work primarily focuses on femininity, sexuality and identity. 

DA: What class at Pitt State has had the biggest affect on the way you approach your work? 

JD: I've loved all the classes I've taken with Emi. Her classes have allowed me ways to use and make work in a digital type of format, which is important to know. It also gives you another platform that you can display your art. I love the internet and connecting with other people through it through my artwork. It's something that's really essential to me. This semester I'm taking a GIF art class which I'm really excited about.



DA: Tell us about a project you completed recently that you were really proud of. Where did you get your initial idea or inspiration, and how did the project develop over time? Describe your process. 

JD: I recently created some jewelry designs for one of my friends, Marina Fini, who lives in LA. She makes amazing jewelry pieces out of plexi. She wanted to do a Halloween collection and asked me if I wanted to design some of the shapes, so I said yes! I ended up drawing a few fun designs I thought would work with her plexi designs. She took my designs and made them a reality. It was really cool to see my work come to life in a more three-dimensional way, as well we something that was totally wearable. It was also cool to work with Marina. She is a huge inspiration to me. If anyone wants to see more of Marina's work you can check out her website: mariniafini.com

DA: Who are some artists that inspire you? What is it about their work that you find compelling?

JD: Everyone from Lisa Frank to Andy Warhol. A lot of my friends who are artists are the ones who inspire me the most. Oliver Hibert has really inspired me. His artwork changed everything for me. I like work with bright colors and dark contrasts, and work that pushes the boundaries of reality and normalcy.  

DA: What is an experience you've had at Pitt State that has changed the way you think about art?

JD: A lot of the time at Pitt State I have felt pretty isolated because I feel my work doesn't really fit in anywhere. I've learned that your work doesn't have to fit in. 



DA: Tell us about your experience participating in the internship program. Where and when did your internship take place, and how did it come about?

JD: The internship program was a great experience for me. I can't thank Portico enough for encouraging me, pushing me, and believing in me and my art at a time when I really needed that. I sought out an internship on my own. I didn't want to do something here in town. I wanted to get out an experience something different. I did my internship over the summer in 2015 in Phoenix, AZ with artist Oliver Hibert. He had mentioned he was looking for an intern so we talked about it. We spent 2 weeks over the summer learning how to stretch canvases, how to transfer a drawing to a canvas for painting, and we did a run of around 200 three color silkscreen prints that we printed by hand as well as some other smaller printing projects. In December Oliver and I had a show together at Palabra Gallery in downtown Phoenix.

DA: What was the most challenging aspect of your internship? What was the most fun?

JD: It was very labor intensive, physically. Stretching a canvas is tough, making 200 silkscreen prints is tough and tedious. And, honestly the summer heat in Arizona. We were basically night owls for two weeks because the only time it was cool enough to work in the printing studio was after midnight. The most fun part was being able to have a show together at the end. It was something that really built up my confidence and experience that I will remember forever.   



DA: Tell us about your plans for the future. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? 10 years?

JD: This is a huge question. I just hope in 5 years I'm happy, have a job that I can sustain myself with, and still have time to create my own work.

DA: What projects are you working on right now that are outside of coursework?

JD: I'm always working on my own work. I recently finished up a piece for a group exhibition in San Francisco, and have been working on a page for a coloring book that some of my artists friends are putting together and publishing. 



DA: Where's the best place to see more of your work online?

JD: You can view more of my work on my website: jacquelinedenton.com, or look me up on instagram to see more work in-progress type updates: @jacquelinedenton, as well as other shenanigans.