Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Semester Recap and Preview of Things to Come

This semester the NWACC Art Club sponsored and organized a lot of exciting events:

"Chalk it up to Art" -- Sidewalk Chalk Event
The Club supplied the chalk and invited passersby to draw on the surfaces of Bogle Plaza with the ultimate goal of filling the Plaza up with imagery (we came close). The Club will probably be making it an annual event to kick off the new school year.


Meet an Artist: Susana Jones
Artist and adjunct instructor Susana Jones introduced an audience of 30 - 40 to her personal artwork (watercolors and sculpture) and talked about her creative process.

NWACC Art Club Store
Original designs were submitted for Halloween and the Presidential Election and put on products to sell and help raise an operating budget for the Club.

Fall Festival
Club members had a booth called "You be the Star" in which movie posters were converted to cut-outs and people could put their faces in the scene and get their picture taken. Link to images.

2009 Photography Wall Calendar
Currently enrolled students were solicited for their photography to help fill a wall calendar to be sold to help raise funds for a trip to Chicago for Club members. 51 photographs were submitted. 12 were chosen and 3 top winners were chosen by the following jury members: Victor Chalfant (Photography/Graphic Design instructor; Program Coordinator, Graphic Design), Eric Smith (NWACC Art Club Advisor; Photography Instructor), Mike Eckels (Club member and photographer), Genny Olson (NWACC Librarian), Rachel Ackerman (NWACC Librarian), and Lynn Berkowitz (Director of Education at Crystal Bridges). The top winners were Patrick Kabanuck (First Prize $100), Oscar Toyco (Second Prize $50), and Robert (Sean) Nichols (Third Prize $25). Sponsors of the prizes were Becky Christenson of "Art" Studio and Gallery in Bentonville (Third Prize), the NWACC Art Club (Second Prize), and Becky McCoy (First Prize). The calendar may be purchased for $19.99 at http://www.cafepress.com/nwaccartclub.328126062 .

Patrick Kabanuck, Wormhole Trail, 2008

Oscar Toyco, Study B, 2006

Robert (Sean) Nichols, Ultramarine, 2006

In addition, official brochures were designed to promote the Club and determine how volunteers would like to help. Brochure holders were put up all over the Art and Graphic Design departments.

Some Great News:
The President's Advisory Council on Art, a new committee on campus, to help increase the visibility of art on the NWACC campus has accepted the idea of outfitting the Student Center rooms 108 A and B with gallery hanging systems. This idea was proposed by Darney Willis in conjunction with a written statement by Stephanie Lewis (NWACC Art Club Advisor) and Sarah Carson (President of the NWACC Art Club). These physical changes will turn the rooms into a viable exhibition space with premium exposure to people as well as a well-suited environment to artists' receptions.

Upcoming Events:

Christmas Ornament Sale - December 3 & 4 from 10 am - 2 pm in the Student Center Lobby
Club members have decorated Christmas ornaments and are selling them to help raise funds for the Chicago trip in the Spring. Please come by and consider buying one to trim your tree with this year!

There will also be a Holiday Party for members (TBA).

Next semester:

The Face: Jesus in Art (Film)
Admission to this film will be any art supply an audience member would like to donate (piece of charcoal, tube of paint, pad of paper, easel, etc.), which will be donated to the Circle of Life Hospice Art Program. From Amazon.com: "This two-hour documentary traces the dramatically different ways in which Jesus has been represented in art throughout history and around the world. Narrated by Mel Gibson, Ricardo Montalban, Bill Moyers, Edward Herrmann, Patricia Neal and others, the program utilizes the latest digital technology and motion control photography to reconstruct and relocate works into their original locations. Amazing digital morphing sequences dramatically illustrate how the image of Jesus has changed over time while unique special effects virtually reconstruct art that has been destroyed or lost forever. A sweeping and visually riveting lesson in art history, The Face: Jesus In Art is a documentary of stunning beauty and unprecedented innovation."

In March, the Club, in assocation with the Drama Club/Department, will be helping with the set design for Tommy.

Also, in March, there will be another Guest Artist Lecture (TBA).

Film Night on the Square
Sometime during the month of April, the Club will be sponsoring a family friendly animated feature on the Bentonville Square (TBA).

Chicago Field Trip for NWACC Art Club Members
In May, members will be touring the art and architecture scene in the Windy City.

There will be much, much more, so keep checking the Events Calendar!

If you would like to join the NWACC Art Club and participate in our exciting and growing program, email Stephanie Lewis at slewis@nwacc.edu. Faculty, staff, and students are invited.*

* Faculty members are non-voting members but are welcome to join us in our programming and events.