Professor Lindsey Dunnagan’s Painting I class took advantage of the wonderful warm weather we’ve been having to go outside and practice their art outside the studio, following in the footsteps of such luminaries as Renoir and Monet. It was beautiful but, sadly for the artists, rain is predicted for the next couple of days.
Violet Odzinski paints outside on a beautiful early autumn day.
On Wednesday, September 13th, power to many of Truman State’s buildings was knocked out by a raccoon exploring where it probably should not have explored. According to a news item on KTVO, the local television station, the raccoon made its way into the university substation, broke an insulator, and took power offline for 15 buildings for the full day. According to someone who saw the creature, it apparently walked away, having had a bit too much adventure. It had a sudden bald patch as well, likely where its fur was singed.
Francine Fox, our Visiting Assistant Professor of Foundations, found inspiration in the story of the intrepid raccoon, drawing a “Wanted” poster and posting it on the wall in the Art wing of Ophelia Parrish.
Matthew Derezinski has been developing promotional materials from print to social media design for the Scouting 500 over the past six months. The Scouting 500 will be held this coming weekend at the Kansas City Speedway. The event is expecting to have over two thousand attendees, including Cub and Boy Scouts, as well as Venturers, Varsity Scouts, Explorers, leaders, family members and friends.
Have you noticed any smiling or particularly hungry-looking trash cans recently?
Any giraffes nibbling on your hair? Someone just hanging on?
Are you feeling very small? or REALLY hungry?
Maybe you are experiencing ART IN UNEXPECTED PLACES, a project of Professor Lindsay Dunnagan’s Advanced Painting classes. (Top row by Daniel Degenhardt; Second row (l) Lindsay Picht, (r) Austin Dellamano; Third row (l) Mia Palumbo, (r) Lisa Simms; Fourth row: Mona Abhari; Below: photo of class at the north gate to the university.
Over the Labor day weekend Design professors Rusty Nelson, Matt Derezinski, and Aaron Neeley took a trip to Detroit, Michigan to see the House Industries Exhibition at the Henry Ford Museum. Known throughout the world for its eclectic font collections and far-reaching creative exploits, House Industries has been a standard-bearer for American graphic design for 25 years. House has worked with a diverse list of collaborators including Jimmy Kimmel, Hermès, The New Yorker, John Mayer, Muji, the Estate of Charles and Ray Eames, and Heath Ceramics.
Professor Danielle Yakle continues to provide Truman’s campus with art entertainment. On September 5th, posters started to appear that advertised a pop up “Blow Up” art exhibition. Fortunately the morning of September 7th dawned bright and clear and not too windy, and the Advanced Fibers/Sculpture classes trekked their plastic sculptures and air blowers out to the Quad and got ready to stop passersby in their tracks.
The assignment was to create a sculpture that was a very large version of a small stuffed animal. And as the elephant, floppy dog, unicorn, crab. and other creatures suddenly appeared, people certainly paid attention. The new art contrasted well with the art that seems more “normal” for a university campus.
Stay tuned for the next of the Professor Yakle’s public art projects. And keep an eye on the Quad, and around campus generally. You never know what you might see!
Works by Professors Rusty Nelson (left) and Wynne Wilbur (right).
Join us Tuesday, August 29th at 5pm for the Fall 2017 New Work by Truman State Art Faculty show, featuring works from Professors Matt Derezinski, Lindsey Dunnagan, Aaron Neeley, Russell Nelson, and Wynne Wilbur. The show will be up through the 6th of October.
This week saw the first year students move in, and start their classes. Sunday is the day of return for sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Classes start on Monday, but several faculty are incorporating the total eclipse into their assignments* and many classes will not actually meet until Wednesday. Whenever your classes start, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, we are happy you are going to be here.
*While Kirksville doesn’t get more than 98% coverage of the sun by the moon, just 60 miles to the south you can experience totality.
Painting professor Lindsey Dunnagan invites people to participate in her new artwork at Paul Artspace Residency in Saint Louis, on August 6th. She writes:
Carrying resentment, anger, or regret can negatively affect mental health and the body. International Forgiveness Day (August 6th, 2017) provides an opportunity to shed these feelings. In this interactive project, visitors are invited to Paul Artspace in Saint Louis where they can transfer unwanted negative emotions to “stones” through writing.
These stones are interconnected sculptural forms made of concrete that are absorbent and heavy. Once participants write or draw on the concrete forms they may cover parts or their entire message with a black polish. Then visitors can leave their stones in the forest.
Because the concrete is heavy, it serves as a metaphor of emotional weight. Leaving the stones behind is physical act of literally letting go and a symbolic way of healing.
After the event, stones will be collected for a sculptural altar in a gallery where the project can continue. In the gallery, new visitors may write on new stones while sifting through the ones others have left. My hope is that this project can help people feel less alone and provide some peace for people who are dealing with difficult issues.
The details:
When: August 6th, 12 – 6pm
Where: Paul Artspace 14516 Sinks Rd, Florissant, MO 63034
For more details, including a map to the location, take a look at her website.
Dr. DeLancey with current students and alumni at her goodbye reception.
We are saddened to say goodbye to Art Historian Dr. Julia DeLancey, who will be moving to Virginia for a new academic position. She has been at Truman for more than twenty years, and although we will miss her, we wish her luck in her new position. A reception was held in the University Gallery on July 20th, in honor of her and her husband, Dr. Peter Kelly, and several students and alumni were able to say goodbye in person.