May 22, 2013

Overwhelming Captivation at Memphis College of Art’s Hyde Gallery

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Memphis College of Art will host Overwhelming Captivation at Hyde Gallery in the Nesin Graduate Center, 477 S. Main St., May 29 – June 15 with an opening reception Friday, May 31, 6 –9 p.m. during South Main Trolley Night.

This exhibition is juried by Robert Hollingsworth, gallery manager at David Lusk Gallery, and curated by current MFA student Thomas Green.

Overwhelming Captivation is a visual conversation through works of varied and contrasting materials, illustrating the ideas of being human and emotionally overcome by ephemeral forces. Themes within the show are broad, confronting psychological problems—obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, fear—and touching on the ideas of addiction, lust, anger, gluttony, sloth, envy, greed or other references to the concept of obsession.

Hyde Gallery is open Wednesday–Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. On Trolley Nights, Hyde Gallery is also open 6–9 p.m. All of MCA’s galleries are open to the public, and admission is free.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Beverly Speakes was the valedictorian for MCA’s 63^rd graduating class. She presented the following speech to family and friends, faculty and fellow graduates at the commencement ceremony, held at the Levitt Shell:

I’m a non-traditional student who’s overcome—or worked around—some non-traditional obstacles. It’s a good thing I’m creative and more than a little bit obsessive, because those traits have put me here speaking to you today. Since I’ve been a student at MCA, when I’ve been out and people have seen my ID, they’ve invariably assumed that I was a grad student or a teacher. “No,” I told them, “I’m working for my undergrad—I’m just a slow starter”—and since it’s now 2013, obviously I’m a slow finisher, as well. It’s taken me 10 years to get my degree, but my dreams of art school and my desire for an art degree have existed much longer than that. I had heard about Memphis College of Art for as long as I’d been in Memphis, and I nurtured a secret desire to be a student here. But life happened. There was work and child raising and more work, and every year, my plans moved me further and further away from the idea of being at MCA. I finally quit thinking about it entirely. Then one year, I became very ill, plans went awry, my existence went sideways, and within a short time, the person I had been was gone, and the person I’d become was a stranger. And then more life happened—because that’s what it does. But slowly, I began to move forward. In 2002, applying to Memphis College of Art—finally taking that first step—was a way of moving forward for me. I learned early on that I wasn’t able to study the way people usually do, so I had to figure out how I could study. And I did. Even so, it’s been hard. But here I am.

I’ve been here for a long time. I remember when Leslie became the librarian, when Shane began teaching Illustration, and when Tom Lee’s facial hair looked more…domesticated. I was the RA the first year that Metz Hall was open. Mike and Jeff, with their maintenance super powers, became my heroes that year. There were 40-plus residents, mostly freshman, many of whom had never been away from home before. That term was never—ever—dull. And it gave me some lasting relationships. In just a few years, I saw those fellow students graduate—and I’m still in touch with some of them. I’ve seen them go on to grad school, to work—several have gotten married and now have families. Watching them begin their away-from-home lives at MCA and then go out into the world has made me feel as though I am a part of something large and wide reaching.

MCA has taken a group trip every Spring since I’ve been here. One year, I went with them to Paris. It was cold; it even snowed a little. But it was Paris and it was amazing—even though I was worse for wear when I got back home. I saw works by Leonardo, Dali, Kandinsky and Degas—and I visited Jim Morrison’s grave. That trip was something I’ll never forget. Every year, I’ve thought about going to Horn Island too, and although Lisa Tribo and Bob Riseling have made a good case for it, so far, I’m still way too attached to indoor plumbing to brave it, but maybe one day I’ll get there.

The best part of my MCA experience has been my 10-year exposure to art students and teachers. Being surrounded by talented, creative people is just about the best thing, ever. There’s nothing like it. I’ve learned a lot, and I have enduring memories of surf music and bunny stories. I’ve met so many incredible people…some who’ve already left, some who are leaving and some who’ll be here for a while longer. I’ve secretly wished to be a few of them—Brittany Vega, Krislee Kyle and Fidencio Martinez, this year, for instance. Seeing things through your eyes, listening to you talk about how you see the world has given me perspective that I don’t believe I’d have found anywhere else.

I’ve had a support system here at MCA. Today, some of those people are sitting behind me—some are in the audience, when in years past, they’d have also been sitting behind me—and some are not in attendance. But wherever they all are at this moment, their counsel and kindness has been most appreciated. Thank you especially to Betty Spence, who kept me sane and focused on more than one occasion. Thank-yous also go out to Jennifer Sargent, Shane McDermott, Tad Lauritzen-Wright and Fred Burton who, without fail, always made me feel as though I had potential. Thank you, as well, to Jeanine, Nona, Diane, Deborah, Kenny, Lisa, Zark and the rest of you who always met me with smiles, hellos and conversation.

Smiles and hellos and conversation mean a lot. And last but not least, my heartfelt thanks go to Susan Miller, who unfailingly encouraged me and who did her best to fix any problem I ever brought to her.

We sometimes hear—from non-artists, of course—that majoring in art is not desirable, that we should be investing in something that much of rest of the world believes to have a more guaranteed or lucrative return. I think the rest of the world is jealous. I believe that we, as artists, more than any other career demographic, invest in ourselves. We invest in the innate need we have to make art—to have that intensely personal experience—and share it. When we leave Memphis College of Art, things might not always turn out as we plan. There will probably be obstacles—and ups and downs. Things might be harder than we expect them to be. But it is vital that we—as artists—persevere. We need to continue making art and we need to continue sharing it. Art is one of the primary hallmarks of civilization. The world needs artists. We inspire. We ­are important.

The word “valedictorian” is derived from the Latin root phrase meaning, “to say farewell.” And this is the day we do just that. Our time at MCA has come to a close and we’ll follow different paths from here on out. We’re saying good-bye, but we’ll carry little bits of MCA with us—the memories of the people we’ve met here, the experiences we’ve had and the knowledge we’ve gained. We are now, forever, a part of Memphis College of Art and it is, forever, a part of us. I don’t know if any of us can impact the future in huge ways, but I firmly believe that the common spark that drew us to MCA, that part of us that’s been nurtured here, gives us, at least, the power to make the corners of the world where we eventually end up, little bit better. Thank you.

Beverly Speakes, Class of 2013 Valedictorian
May 11, 2013

Memphis College of Art Hosts Disegno 6

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Memphis College of Art will host Disegno 6: Contemporary Undergraduate Drawing, May 16 – July 14 in the Main Gallery of MCA’s Rust Hall, 1930 Poplar Ave., Overton Park.

The participating student artists from MCA are Christian Brown, Evan Hoffman, Fidencio Martinez, Kate Mattingly and Jennifer McClish. McClish earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in December 2012. Hoffman and Martinez are graduating this semester. Works by students from other participating colleges are also featured in the show.

Disegno 6 is a traveling group exhibition of drawings by undergraduate students from art institutions across the United States. These exhibitions bring together works by students who find the discipline of drawing to be at the core of their education, regardless of their chosen field.

The Disegno exhibition series was created and is facilitated annually by Jessie Fisher, associate professor of painting at the Kansas City Art Institute.

This is the sixth year for the touring exhibition, which began its run at the Maryland Institute College of Art earlier this year. It then moved to the Kansas City Art Institute and the University of South Carolina before arriving at MCA for its final show.

Rust Hall’s galleries are open Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Sunday noon – 3 p.m. All of MCA’s galleries are open to the public, and admission is free.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Metal Museum “Tributaries” Artist Gabriel Craig Visits Memphis College of Art

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Gabriel Craig, one of the featured artists of the National Ornamental Metal Museum‘s Tributaries exhibition series, will visit Memphis College of Art’s Callicott Auditorium (Rust Hall, Overton Park) on Thursday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. to discuss his career as an artist and show examples of his work. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

Craig, who resides in Detroit, describes himself as a “metalsmith, writer and craft activist.” His performative use of craft engages diverse audiences in discussions about self-sufficiency, labor, consumption and tradition. He has lectured throughout the country on his own artistic work, decorative arts history and contemporary craft. He received his BFA in Metals/Jewelry from Western Michigan University and his MFA in Jewelry and Metalworking from Virginia Commonwealth University.

MCA’s visiting artist series is designed to expose students and the community to a diverse group of professional artists whose careers have taken them around the world.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Contact: Shawna Engel
Vice President for College Advancement
sengel@mca.edu
(901) 272-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


April 11, 2013

Dik Dik, Revised by Adelaide Paul, 2009

Memphis College of Art Welcomes Visiting Artist Adelaide Paul

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Adelaide Paul, a talented sculptor from Philadelphia, will be discussing her artwork and her career in Memphis College of Art’s Callicott Auditorium (Rust Hall, Overton Park) on Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. The event is open to the public, and admission is free.

Paul, who earned an MFA in studio art from Louisiana State University in 1996, explores the relationships among animals and humans through her work. “Animals are anthropomorphized in film, fiction and popular culture,” she said in a statement. “They (and their requisite accessories) are hot commodities; like all commodities, they are also disposable.”

Having taught anatomy to veterinary students for the past eight years as associate director of the anatomy lab at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Paul has an intimate understanding of animal forms. “What strikes me the most, however, is not how different other animals are from us human animals, but how very similar,” said Paul. “I seek to pose questions to the viewer regarding these consumer/consumed/consummated relationships by juxtaposing found and fabricated objects evoking multiple possibilities as to just who is consumed.”

For the complete artist’s statement and bio, click here.

MCA’s visiting artist series is designed to expose students and the community to a diverse group of professional artists whose careers have taken them around the world.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Contact: Shawna Engel
Vice President for College Advancement
sengel@mca.edu
(901) 272-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


April 4, 2013

Brin and Dale Baucum Alumni Exhibition Opens at Memphis College of Art

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis College of Art announces its newest alumni exhibition, Two Dancing as One, by Brin and Dale Baucum. The couple’s sculpture work will be on display April 5 – May 12, in the Alumni Gallery in Rust Hall, Overton Park. There will be an opening reception on Friday, April 12, 6–8 p.m. The exhibition and reception are open to the public, and admission is free.

Brin and Dale Baucum both earned their Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees from MCA in 1973. They have been creating art together for 40 years.

“We are Dale and Brin Baucum: potters, parents, married to each other, committed to our art and still very much in love with all this,” said the artists in a statement. “Through all the years, we have discovered that making pots is much like a dance, much like a song, always with new gestures to add to the tune.”

Rust Hall’s Alumni Gallery is open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Contact: Shawna Engel
Vice President for College Advancement
sengel@mca.edu
(901) 272-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


April 4, 2013

BFA art: Scoliosis by Nicolette Overton

Memphis College of Art Announces BFA and MFA Exhibitions

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis College of Art is proud to announce the Spring 2013 BFA and MFA thesis exhibitions. The BFA I show takes place April 5–21 at Rust Hall’s Main Gallery (Overton Park) with an opening reception April 12, 6–8 p.m.; the BFA II exhibition is April 26 – May 11. The MFA thesis, entitled “Connect For” will be on display April 17 – May 4 at the Hyde Gallery, Memphis College of Art Nesin Graduate Center, 477 S. Main. The opening receptions for both the BFA II and MFA exhibitions will take place at their respective locations Friday, April 26—the BFA reception is 5–7 p.m. at Rust Hall, and the MFA reception is 6–9 p.m. to coincide with Trolley Night in downtown Memphis.

MCA has 62 BFA candidates this semester. To better feature each student, their final undergraduate exhibition is divided into two shows. A list of the BFA I artists can be found at http://mca.edu/mcacalendar/bfa-exhibition-i/. A list of the BFA II artists can be found at http://mca.edu/mcacalendar/bfa-exhibition-ii/.

“Connect For” will feature four MCA MFA candidates: Jenna David, Soulmaz Khazraei, Lauren Lane and Katie McWeeney.

Currently at Hyde Gallery, work by MCA’s Master of Arts in Teaching and Master of Arts in Art Education candidates is on display. It will remain through April 6.

Rust Hall’s Main Gallery is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.; and Sunday noon – 3 p.m. The Hyde Gallery is open Wednesday – Saturday, noon – 5 p.m. with extended hours of 6 – 9 p.m. on South Main Trolley Nights. The galleries and receptions are open to the public and admission is free.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Contact: Shawna Engel
Vice President for College Advancement
sengel@mca.edu
(901) 272-5115

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


March 25, 2013

Memphis College of Art Students Install Sustainable Sculpture at the Dixon

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Memphis College of Art juniors and seniors in Assistant Professor Elizabeth Brown’s Sustainable Sculpture: Works in Cardboard class will showcase their outdoor creations at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens April 9–13, 2013. The pieces, made completely or mostly out of cardboard, draw on the students’ inspiration from the link between nature and culture.

The students displaying work are Nick Darmstaedter, Ric Evans, Alex Lee, Olivia Logan, Robbie McElhaney, Adra Maner, Melinda Parra, Jonathan Rodriguez, Nicole Trimble, Austin Williams, Lisa Williamson and Sean Winfrey.

“While all relating to the show’s theme of nature and culture, individual works also touch on ideas of life and death, transformation, transience of time and objects, gender, beauty, history, competition, animal nature of humans, the relationship of the insect world with the human world, and music,” explained Brown. “The exhibition will make a statement even as it disintegrates over time and with the elements.”

The works will be displayed at the Dixon Gallery and Gardens throughout the grounds behind the museum. Artists have used a variety of both traditional sculpting/woodworking techniques such as laminating and carving, papermaking techniques, along with tabbing, bending and folding as well as non-traditional techniques such as knitting with cardboard “yarn.”

This project was made possible by a generous gift of corrugated from International Paper.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Contact: Cara Sievers
Director of College Communications
csievers@mca.edu
(901) 272-5111

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


Feb. 19, 2013

Field Study 20: Thicket by Kim Cridler

Metal Museum Tributaries Artist To Speak at Memphis College of Art

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Memphis College of Art is excited to host artist Kim Cridler, whose work is on view at the National Ornamental Metal Museum Feb. 22 – April 28. Cridler, who is the currently featured artist of the Metal Museum’s Tributaries series, will give a free talk about her work and process at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21 in Memphis College of Art’s Callicott Auditorium (Rust Hall, Overton Park). The free event is open to the public.

Cridler’s current body of work explores the enduring significance of the vessel form and draws inspiration from the flora and fauna around her home in Wisconsin. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Art at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

For more information on Cridler’s exhibition or other events at the Metal Museum, please visit www.metalmuseum.org.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.

Contact: Cara Sievers
Director of College Communications
csievers@mca.edu
(901) 272-5111

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 


Feb. 14, 2013

  Memphis College of Art Students Featured at Brinkley Plaza Opening

MEMPHIS, Tenn.—Students from Memphis College of Art have been selected for a juried MCA Student Exhibition taking place on Trolley Night, Feb. 22, at Brinkley Plaza in downtown Memphis. This recurring exhibition takes place every semester and provides a competitive experience for students to show their work in a prominent, high-traffic Memphis venue.

“This partnership allows MCA students the opportunity to showcase a broad spectrum of their work to yet another audience,” said Carrie Brooks, director of career services at Memphis College of Art. “Students of all levels of study use various media to compete to participate in one of the most anticipated art events of our city, Trolley Night, providing them a wonderful professional practice opportunity and another show to feature in their portfolios.”

The exhibition will be on display through the end of April and is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Memphis College of Art provides a rigorous curriculum in an intimate, diverse community to empower generations of leading artists, designers and educators to flourish professionally and contribute valuable ideas to society. The region’s only independent art and design college, MCA is fully accredited with expert, nationally renowned faculty and grants BFA, MFA, MA in Art Education and MA in Teaching degrees with graduates excelling in various careers across the country and internationally. For more information, visit mca.edu. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/memphiscollegeofart and on Twitter at @memphisart.