ACU Art & Design: Issue No. 18 |
|
|
|
Graphic design students visit San Francisco
|
In early March, before the COVID-19 pandemic took classes online and brought students back home, the Department of Art and Design took a group of ambitious graphic design students to San Francisco. We visited design teams at global giants like Uber and jaw-dropping studios like Manual, Branch and The New Company. We also spent some time with alumnus and friend of the program Brent Couchman (’05), who runs the design studio Moniker. We thank Couchman for the invaluable help in crafting an experience for students that was truly unforgettable. |
|
Drew illustrates children’s book
|
Illustrator and calligrapher Kendra (Heard ’09) Drew created watercolor paintings for the recently-published fable The Table Maker by Timothy W. Scott. Her colorful, folk art-inflected illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to a timeless story about stewardship of one’s gifts. “I identify with The Table Maker himself, because he is hesitant in his gift,” Drew said. “At the beginning of this project, I also felt hesitant, but using my talent has given me a great joy and deep satisfaction – and a felt knowledge that I am right where God wants me to be.” |
|
Kiefer’s El Sueño Americano
|
In September, the department will host El Sueño Americano (The American Dream), an exhibition recently acclaimed in national news outlets like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and NPR. The photographs at the center of this exhibition depict personal items seized from migrants and asylum seekers who crossed the U.S. border near Ajo, Arizona. Tom Kiefer, a graphic designer who worked part time as a janitor for the Border Patrol, felt moved to collect the items. “When I started seeing a rosary, or a Bible, or a wallet, I realized that no one would believe me if I had not collected these items,” he said. His beautiful photographs humanize immigrants and the arduous journeys they made in search of a better life in America.
The exhibition was organized to accompany a 2020 ACU Summit pathway on immigration led by Daniel Garcia (’04) and Dr. Monty Lynn. The exhibition will run until late November. |
|
Ray Kelley (’15) graduated from ACU with a degree in sculpture and has been working in the Chicago area as a freelance scenic designer, but she also exhibited her art prints at the Metro Center on Feb. 12 during the RAW Artists showcase, a one-day microfestival featuring artists in a variety of mediums. Kelley took a chance after being invited to participate, selling tickets and designing a short-term exhibition space.“It went super well,” she said. “I had a constant stream of customers and got a few contacts for some freelance work, I even sold out of a few items.”
Professors Robert Green (’79) and Kenny Jones (’82) were in town attending a conference and visited the showcase, met with Kelley, and viewed the art “Getting to attend and show support for Kelley was an amazing confirmation of the art foundation shining through with innovative job opportunities,” Jones said. Kelley plans to return to this venue as soon as possible. |
|
Pursuing advanced degrees during COVID-19
|
Several department alumni have faced challenges in their Master of Fine Arts studies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Erin Holland (’07) recently wrapped up finals at Columbia University but lost access to her art studio due to lockdown protocols. Columbia art students are seeking an extension to further develop art work before graduation. Allen Smith (’09) transferred his thesis show titled BOATS from a physical experience to his personal website and will graduate in August from Texas Tech University. He has not had access to his studio, so he uses a basic watercolor set at home. Morgan Addie Grasham (’12) is at the University of North Texas and had a teaching fellowship where she converted her curriculum to online instruction. The university is giving her a bonus semester to host a physical, rather than online, thesis exhibition.
This is a complicated time to be pursuing graduate studies but we know these students will continue to thrive and we wish them our best. |
|
Student-athletes in the department
|
Every year our department has a handful of student-athletes who manage the rigor of an art degree, with all its hours in the studio, while also representing ACU in athletics. Our student-athletes manage high academic standards and long hours of conditioning and competition alongside lab and studio time. They manage to juggle it all with excellence. We want to honor our current group: Avery Silliman, Savanah Walker, Austin Kobiske and Abbey Clouse! And we salute all our former student-athletes who have performed so well as Wildcats. |
|
Due to the COVID-19 campus closure, our senior blessing looked a little different for May 2020 graduates. We blessed our seniors with this video and these words.
“Seniors, you are ready. So ready. May you know a depth of peace and passion that seems unfathomable right now. Go and make beautiful things, be kind and courageous, and don’t forget your home here. May the words of blessing from your faculty reside in your hearts. I love you, Arlene.” – Arlene Kasselman, art and design administrative coordinator |
|
Check out ACU A&D on Instagram
|
|
Connect with us to find out what's happening. We won't fill up your feed,
but we will keep you in the loop on all things A&D. |
If you have story ideas, important news or just want to say hello: |
|
|
|
Abilene Christian University
1600 Campus Court | | Abilene, TX 79699 Unsubscribe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
