Four (4) UNK Visual Communication and Design majors had a work accepted into the National 2009 Flux Student Design Competition. University students attending institutions from coast to coast enter the competition, but only one entry is selected as Best in each of five categories. This year, a work by UNK’s Afton Palmer won “Best” in the Poster category. Caleb Chvatal, Nate Eskra, and Kat Tinkham also had posters selected for the show. Congratulations designers.
Artworks by Chad Fonfara, Assistant Professor (sculpture/glass), were selected for three juried exhibitions during the summer; the Kansas Artist Craftsmen Association- Members Exhibition, Moss-Thorns Gallery, Ft Hays, KS., Ft Hays University, KACA Material Mastery Exhibition, Moss-Thorns Gallery, Ft. Hays, KS, and the Academia Invitational, Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE.. In addition, Mr. Fonfara attended the 39th Annual Glass Art Society International Conference held in Corning, NY during the summer break.
The 14th Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest was held on Friday, October 30th. Nearly 100 spooky, glowing pumpkins, carved by UNK student were displayed for visitors and voters in the UNK Art hall on Friday, October 30th. Visitors were ask to vote for the “best of show,” “most creative,” and “ugliest” carved pumpkins. See photos of contest winners.
Victoria Goro-Rapoport, associate professor in the Department of Art & Art History, is a 2009 recipient of the Pratt-Heins Award for Scholarship and Research. Goro-Rapoport has exhibited widely, and has been recognized with top prizes at a number of prestigious, juried exhibitions (read more). In the awards announcement, Pratt-Heins Foundation trustee, Tom Tye II, said “As with many UNK distinguished faculty in scholarship and research, she is also a very gifted teacher and mentor to her students. Her students, peers, the university and our community are the fortunate beneficiaries of her multiple talents.”
In addition to the award recognition this fall, Goro-Rapoport is featured in the cover article of the most recent issue of New Frontiers, a publication of the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. A photo of the cover, and links to the publication, are currently on the front page of the UNK web site. Congratulations to Victoria.
Several works by Mark Hartman are currently featured in the Museum of Nebraska Art exhibition Pushing Paint. The show will run through September 20, 2009. The Museum described this exhibition as being “comprised of a handful of artists who are true ‘painter’s painters.’” The invitational exhibition, which began on May 23rd, highlights the work of a select group of non-representational artists from Nebraska.
Derrick Burbul’s photo exhibition, Road Through Nowhere, was displayed at the Governor’s Residence Exhibition in Lincoln, Nebraska from July 29–August 28, 2009. Earlier this year, that exhibition was displayed in the Walker Art Gallery on the UNK campus. The photograph, Sign to Nowhere, was exhibited last spring in the exhibition, Something About Nothing, at the Kuhn Fine Arts Gallery at The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion, Ohio.
Heads up! The great, end-of-year Art Department BBQ and Picnic is set for May 6th at 5:30 pm, at Centennial Park. Come for good food, friends, and sand volley ball. A $5 ticket includes food, t-shirt, and entry into artwork raffle. Students, Alumni, even public is welcome. Tickets available from Kacee or Brandy now – or pay at the park. Photos of the event will be available soon.
The department has received a note confirming that eight UNK VCD students have earned awards in the latest Nebraska Addy Contest. Winners are Brian Margheim, Silver - Psychic Duck, Silver - Dracula, The Musical; Nate Eskra, Silver – ANWR; Cassi Ellenwood, Gold – Artisan Tea Advertisement, Silver - Artisan Tea Packaging; Andrea Trew, Silver – Mondavi Wine; Amanda Erickson, Gold – Sasquuatch Paper, Silver – Board Threads Clothing Company, Brandy Nichols, Gold – The Big Show, Silver – Elvis Biograhy; Steve Wolf, Special Judges Citation/Gold – Bird Poster; and Anne McGovern, Silver – The Good Life Marathon.
Congratulations designers. The awards will be presented on February 7, 2009 at the Rococo Theatre, in Lincoln. Your invitation to the event will arrive soon.
Greg ’96 and Lisa (Schwartzkopf) ’95 Daake have provided a $10,000 gift to the NU Foundation for Visual Communication and Design scholarships to assist students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Daake’s are owners and founders of the create design firm Daake located in Omaha.
The freshmen scholarship application for the Art Department during the 2009-10 academic year is available online. 2009 High school seniors may apply for the “tuition reduction grants.” The application due date is March 6th, 2009. Read more details.
Current and transferring Art students may apply for scholarships until February 28 2009.
The Annual Undergraduate Art Exhibition, Sponsored by the UNK Art Society, is held in the Walker Art Gallery during the spring semester. This year, the juried exhibition of student art will open on February 16, 2009. Chad Leahy, Owner of Hatchbox Creative in Omaha, will judge entries in the following categories: painting, printmaking, drawing, photography, graphic design, ceramics, glass, and sculpture. The exhibition will run through March 13th. The pubic is encouraged to view the show, and attend the exhibition reception and awards ceremony to be held on Sunday, March 1, 2009.
Any UNK student may preregister. The entry fee is $5 for each work, or $15 for unlimited entries. Registrations are due by February 13. More details.
Nov, 13, 2009 11:17 pm | 
