Bluegrass Biennial at MSU

"The Bluegrass Biennial is a juried show open to all artists residing in Kentucky. Held alternating summers in the Claypool-Young Art Gallery on the campus of Morehead State University (MSU), the exhibition showcases the strength and diversity of Kentucky’s contemporary art. Becky Alley, Exhibitions and Programs Director, Lexington Art League is the juror." –quoted from show prospectus.

To find out more about applying to the opportunity, click HERE.

love shows

Amidst the passion of this week's installation for A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection, (don't miss the opening reception Friday evening, 6-8pm in the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery), another group of collectors will be lending works of art to Georgetown College for the next exhibition in the Cochenour Gallery, Visual Theatre: Celebrating Irene Corey. 

Image: Tobacco Leaf detail, 1953, oil on canvas by Irene Corey; postcard design by GC Art's own Elizabeth Metcalf

Georgetown residents Ms. Sis Curry, Ms. Maribeth Hambrick and Ms. Carolyn Johnson, along with Lexingtonians James and Mary McCormick, have all graciously agreed to let the Georgetown College Art Galleries borrow works by former art department chair, Irene Corey.  Among other exciting creations in the world of theatrical make-up and costume design, this talented artist developed the guise of Barney, the loveable purple dinosaur, as well as the Chik-fil-A cows.  Learn more about Irene Corey from friends who not only collected her artwork, but who also knew and loved her, during the opening reception on Thursday, March 8, from 5-7pm with NEXUS dialogue event at 5:30.

Gehard Demetz (a hero of mine)

Some new work from Sculptor Gehard Demetz.  A fantastic use of material and process. Originally a wood carving and art instructor Gehard left academia to focus on his work. His technical skill and the amount of work he produces each year is just mind boggling. Make sure to visit his website HERE to see more of his work.

US Bank Celebration of the Arts @ Kentucky Museum, WKU

This is an open show. Despite the listing on the exhibition material, my task, to be clear, was to select the awards only. This was still rather tricky - many awards, across 14 categories and with various stipulations. I would like to thank Mrs. Staebell, Registrar and Collections Curator at the museum, for her organizational skills that helped me move through the work with ease and clarity.

All the same, the work was just as wide ranging, and as expected, produced by ambitions and intentionalities that were either abundantly clear, convoluted, or better still, a total mystery. If in doubt, I trusted the work, and that only. I assumed that the decisions were deliberate and did not allow myself to dismiss them to hastiness, chance or convenience. If I had missed it, consider me fooled: I looked for what is actually there, instead of what the artists may think the work is doing. This was essential in selecting the best of show and the best photo, for example, wherein the summation of decision-making presented something uplifting while at the same time not at all having any pretense at that. I felt a lift from these particular works for their belief in that there is still something left unexplored and that we should not yet close the book on their respective genres or attitudes. I have also subscribed to their alternative ideal of presentation: Yes, an image or an observation could be presented in this way, too. These are obviously only but a few examples amidst many engaging awardees, diametrically well-established techniques, craftiness and finish. I wish I could give due feedback to all 40+ of these award winners as well as many other earnest participants, for I was oftmade feel as if each artist or craftsperson in some way or other was speaking to me, directly.

I think that the viewers of the exhibition may walk away with similar feelings. It will be a heavy dose of diverging, if contradictory, pleasures. If you are experiencing the exhibition for the first time, however, I would recommend not to go by my selection alone, nor by the organizers categories, but to consider the various and just as exciting ways of cross-sectioning an open exhibition of this kind. Try, for example, singling out various guilds, formal or informal groupings with similar interests. I would especially highlight all the WKU art students in the exhibition to this end. I was very much receptive toward their work. I had spent time doing studio visits the day earlier talking to this highly promising group. You should look for the works by Maggie Reed, Ebony Marshman, Conor Lewis, Wesley Miller, and Chasen Igleheart (to name but a few), as they offer a counterpoint to those seasoned pros with long-term regional studios in-or-around town. And yet, they are very much in tune of what each group is doing. It is very informative, engaging and really something to celebrate. If any precedent were there to be set, I would hope it is this openness to what rolls ahead.

Enjoy the reception tonight! and more on the show see here.

Milward Q & A

On Monday, February 20, students in my course "The Art of Collecting" were in for a treat. Lexingtonian and art collector extraordinaire, John Milward, paid a visit to our class. The purpose was to meet the students who have been contributing to the work of the exhibition that opens next week. Entitled "A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection" the show traces the ways in which this collection has shifted and grown over the past 30 years. Milward's collection is impressive -- a fact that you will be able to confirm for yourself next week.

By coming to the show you'll also see the work of so many from our department. For example, each student in the course mentioned above has been researching an artist or group of works from the show. Bess is taking on John Ward (1917-2007); Elizabeth is working on Tom Coates (1941-); Jordan is researching the social and cultural contexts of French animalier bronzes; and Celeste is rising to the challenge of researching that enigmatic artist George Claxton (1947-1995). Each student prepared an outline to share and questions to ask Mr. Milward who kindly sat on the hot seat for over an hour. Thanks so much, John! (And thanks to Caitlin from The Georgetonian for joining us and snapping this photo.)

The gallery is being prepped for the show this week; works will arrive next week; and the installation will come together over a few days. This exhibition opens on Friday, March 2 from 6-8 pm. To whet your appetite, take a peek at the exhibition catalogue cover, above, designed by Laura Hatton in GC's Marketing office.

Make time next Friday night to come out and see a sampling from this world-class collection. You won't be disappointed. Trust me!

Opportunity: call for interns

The Lexington Art League is seeking qualified interns for the summer 2012 professional intern program. Ideal candidates for these positions possess the following characteristics:

- Undergraduate student earning a degree in a field related to visual art:

- GPA of 3.0 or higher

- Strong work ethic

- Positive attitude

- Interested in gaining experience and acquiring knowledge related to all departments of a non-profit visual art organization: development, marketing, events, front-of-house, exhibitions and programs

An orientation and training will be provided for all participants in the professional intern program. LAL interns will initiate or manage individual projects, as well as assist with existing projects of the organization under the supervision of staff members.

Interns at the Lexington Art League do not receive monetary compensation.*

For more information regarding LAL, please visit: www.lexingtonartleague.org.

To apply for this position, please send a cover letter, resume and two professional references to Becky Alley, LAL Exhibitions and Programs Director, at balley@lexingtonartleague.org by March 30, 2012.

*if you plan to gain college credit come see me for further details.

Snow Drawings at Rabbit Ears Pass by Sonja Hinrichsen

Snow drawings made by walking. More images and details HERE.

(not) so long

Just in case you are already missing Una Vision de la Mexicanidad - Harold Winslow, below are some installation views by which to remember the show.  Before we get too melancholy, however, please keep in mind that the next exhibition in the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery, A Passionate Pursuit: The Milward Collection, opens Friday, March 2 with a public reception from 6-8 p.m. See you there!

  

Watches and wood.

I came across this video when doing some veneer research. I was simply amazed at the craft and scale of this work. Made me feel what I think is "detailed" is about as delicate as a roller-coaster. Enjoy.

ART455 Object-Based Research

Students go to various lengths to do their research for Senior Thesis.

Thursday night, seniors shared some of their newest information with me.

Thanks for sharing these acquisitions, girls!

Oh, and question to B & E: this was "Constitution"al, wasn't it? :)

Opportunity: Tshirt design

http://jessicashields.com/blog/2012/02/16/keeneland-t-shirt-design-contest/

Thanks, Jess, for forwarding.

Summer Plans: It's not too early....

What are your plans for summer? How will you use that time to develop further skills in studio or art history research? It's not too early to begin thinking about this.

Last week, the college hosted the Internship Fair. There were some fantastic local and regional organizations and businesses present.

We've been posting internships and other opportunities on the blog. Anything interest you? Read this site for advice on how to treat the internship experience.

What about making applications for grad school or other programs?

What do you want to do? How will doing this forward you, one step closer, to your personal and professional goals? What's your Plan B?

Visit GC's center for calling and career, come talk to faculty, and search this blog (for entries marked "opportunities").

You can do it!

"The Ascending Journey" at UK Vis Center

The Ascending Journey Trailer from Vis Center on Vimeo.

Last Thursday I was invited to see the premier of "The Ascending Journey" at UK's Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments by Dr. Brent Seales, UK professor and director of the Vis Center. I first met Brent by playing music together where we attend church in Lexington. Once Brent found out I was a photographer and worked with digital imaging, he began to explain numerous projects they were working on at the Vis Center. One story from the beginning that I remember is Brent explaining how they had developed technology to read text off the inside of ancient scrolls while they were still rolled up. I later began to realize the depth and breadth of his work when I saw "Imaging the Illiad: A Digital Renaissance" on KET in which a team from the Vis Center traveled to the Marciana Library in Vinace, Italy to fully digitize the Venetus A, a Byzantium book over 1000 years old.

"The Ascending Journey" is a documentary following Nancy Clouter's battle against multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer. Digital imaging is not a primary part of this film, but rather another aspect of what the Vis Center seems to do well, and that's collaborating across disciples. In this case the Vis Center worked with the UK Markey Cancer Center, the UK Music Department, and the Lexington Philharmonic to tell Nancy's story. (To fill in a little information, Nancy is the principal oboe player for the Philharmonic and a professor in the music department at UK.) Due to her illness, Nancy is unable for a time to play music, but ultimately the story is very encouraging and uplifting as she battles through the disease. I'm quite glad I had the opportunity to see it – and perhaps you may as well in the near future as the documentary is released to the public.

Opportunity: Call for student artists -- STUDENT ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Justin with ArtLA in Santa Monica, CA emailed me and asked to spread the word. Seniors, this would especially be a great opportunity for you!!

Love for Winslow (both Harold and Homer)

Georgetown College students, art faculty and guests enjoyed spending time with Professor Jamie Ratliff last week, when she spoke about "Una Vision de la Mexicanidad - Harold Winslow."  Bring your valentine to the KIIS-sponsored exhibition, which is on view in the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery through February 16.  Here are some photos from the reception and talk:

Profs. Ratliff, Zakic and Graham, who had just finished the plaster mold activity described in yesterday's blog.

Students Devon Stivers and Jen Stephenson enjoying the reception with Prof. Ratliff.

Prof. Ratliff with her favorite work from the Winslow show, El Sol Sale Para Todos.

Performance and Installation (Steph gets plastered)

Oh my what fun we get into in sculpture.  

Stephanie Barker is seen here making a mold of her leg. 

Multipart molds are a long progress so Stephanie is multitasking and getting some studying done. 

Here she is with one leg totally invested. Once cured the mold is split into its multiple parts along undercut lines and then reassembled through a series of keys and filled with the desired casting material. In this case Stephanie will be making a set out of wax. In the future this mold can be used for any number of materials. 

If you are interested in mold making or any other process found in sculpture, make sure to take our 3D design and ceramics class (ART118) and any of our sculpture classes. 

Opportunity: Internship in FLA

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida, will be offering paid internships to be held for ten weeks, from May 21- July 27, 2012. The Ringling is part of Florida State University and serves as the State Art Museum of Florida.

live event @ .NO-in-NYC, Feb 17, 8-9pm

Katy Gunn LIVE @ .NO Friday, February 17, 8-9pm

Catch Katy Gunn next week for this intimate gig with new songs and old favorites -- your last chance in NYC before Katy sets off for her next European tour! A resplendent backdrop for the performance, Pia MYrvoLD’s otherworldly digitial imagery (top image) remains on view through March 4. .NO is located at 251 East Houston Street, btw. Norfolk and Suffolk Streets. Subway: F-train, Second Avenue–Lower East Side stop. Gallery hours are Tuesdays to Fridays 12 pm–6pm, and Saturday and Sundays 1 pm–6 pm. Press viewings can be arranged prior to the exhibitions. For more information or to arrange a viewing, please contact the gallery director at (646) 431-2663 or mail@no-in-nyc.org