Pumpkin Carving Contest 2009

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.

End of Year Art BBQ Picnic May 6th

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.

Eight (8) VCD students selected for Addy Awards

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.

Scholarships for 2009-2010 year available in Feburary

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.

Registrations open for Student Art Society Show

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.

Congatulations ADDY Award Winners (Update)

UNK VCD student won several awards at the recent Nebraska ADDY Awards. 2007 Graduate, Eric Nyffeler, captured Best of Show plus 2 golds. Brook Carpenter-silver, Cassi Ellenwood-silver, Anne McGovern-2 silvers, Brandon Oltman-2 golds and 6 silvers, Drake Sauer-silver, Ashley Stuhr-2 golds and silver, Joe Szczepaniak-gold and 3 silvers, Adam Torpin won 3 silver awards.

In addition to a strong showing in student categories, UNK VCD alumni picked up their own honors:Eric Nyffeler (VCD 2007) won three silver awards for Nebraska Book Co., Gabe Re (VCD 2006) took 1 silver for Scorr Marketing, Janelle Reed (VCD 2006) had 2 silver for Scorr Marketing, Curtis Puchunka (VCD 2004) received 2 silvers for the Nebraska Book Co., and Karen Koch (VCD 2003) won a silver for Webster Design.

Joel Kreutzer (VCD 2003) had a good evening with 3 gold and 17 silver awards for Archrival, as did Jontue Hollingsworth (VCD 2002), who also picked up two special judges citations along with Best of Show honors for Archrival. Michelle Sukup (VCD 2004) had 1 silver for Bailey Lauerman-Omaha, Ben Rowe (VCD 2003) won 2 silvers for Scorr Marketing, Dave Markes (VCD 2004) took 3 gold and 7 silver award in addition to a special judges citation for Bailey Lauerman-Lincoln, while Randall Myers (VCD 2000) took a gold and silver for Bailey Lauerman_Omaha.

Cindi Coulter (VCD 1998) won 1 silver for Swanson Russell-Lincoln, Randy Teet (VCD 1994) received 2 gold and 4 silver awards for Ayres Kahler, Lisa Teet (VCD 1994) took a silver for Swanson Russell-Omaha. Sean Faden (CA 1989) received 2 gold and six silver awards, Ron Sack (CA 1988) took 2 gold and 31 silver awards, and James Strange (CA 1987) won 3 gold and 33 silver awards for Bailey Lauerman-Lincoln. Joe McQuire (?) was awarded a silver for Swanson Russell-Lincoln, Greg Daake (CA 1996) received 2 silver awards for Daake Design in Omaha.

Congratulations to all.

UNK VCD students win 23 AIGA Nebraska awards

UNK Visual and Communication Design students won three gold medals at the most recent Nebraska AIGA show in Omaha. Spring 2007 graduate, Eric Nyffeler received gold for his Hydra Black Powder Fireworks poster. Anne McGovern took a gold award for her book cover illustration, and Brandon Oltman won gold for his Kung Pow Paper Co. paper samples book. The five silver award winners were Eric Nyffeler for packaging, Ashley Stuhr for Misc. book, Jaime Flores for direct mail, Brandon Oltman for a poster, and Anne McGovern for poster design. VCD students also won fifteen bronze awards at the AIGA show. Bronze winner are: Brook Carpenter, Cassi Ellenwood (2), Nate Hansen, Jennifer Karr, Anne McGovern, Brandon Oltman (3), Joe Szczepaniak, Adam Torpin (3), and Andrea Trew (2). Photos of winning entries will be available soon.

Fall VCD Senior Show underway

(October 30, 2007) Eight VCD seniors are participating in a Senior Show in the Walker Gallery until November 16th. Jenna Allen, Brook Carpenter, Tessa Gaeth, Akira Hasegawa, Jennifer Karr, Brandon Oltman, Ashley Stuhr, and Adam Torpin are participating. A reception for the artists will be held on November 16th from 4–6pm. See photos.

Torpin wins Gold at National ADDY Awards

UNK VCD Senior Adam Torpin was notified that he has won a National Gold Award for his Rock Star Clothing tags. National ADDY winners will be honored in Louisville, KY on June 9th. Congratulations Adam.

Best wishes to all 2007 Art graduates.

Seniors and other art students enjoyed a perfect day for the annual UNK Art BBQ on May 1st (see the slidehsow). Browse online “portfolios” for both Visual Communication & Design seniors and Studio Art majors. Congratulations all Spring 2007 UNK graduates.