According to
Lorraine Schwartz, Kevin James Roberts, BA History 2006, has received a Masters of Modern Art, Connoisseurship and the History of the Art Market from Christie’s in New York.
Jenny Knavel reports her work is in several shows recently.
- "Sweet Summer 2008," Old Court House Arts Center, Woodstock, IL (invitational)
- "2008 Rockford Midwestern," Rockford Art Museum, Rockford, IL (regional, juried)
- "Sweet Dreams and Nightmares: The Subconscious Unleashed," an all-media event, Washington Gallery of Photography, Bethesda, MD (national, juried)
- "2008 Northern National Art Competition," Nicolet College, Rhinelander, WI (national, juried)
Twelve Western Illinois University student works are included in the College Invitational Exhibition at the Figge Art Museum from June 7 to August 31. There will be a closing reception on August 31 from 2-4 pm. Among the student works, are the following:
Kyla Cox
- Major: Art, BFA with an emphasis in Metalsmithing)
- Class: Art 369: Silkscreen 3
- Artwork title and medium: Morton’s Nightmare, silkscreen on paper
Kurt Fowler
- Major: Art Education
- Class: Painting I
- Artwork title and medium: Closer to Me, oil on canvas (triptych)
- Student statement: How someone can make marks on paper and those marks represent something has always fascinated me. My Grandma Fowler would draw simple pictures in church to keep me quiet. I learned to copy those simple lines and make the same cat and bunny over and over again. Thus began a life of doodling when I was supposed to be paying attention. Those marks and doodles on paper that we read as real images still fascinate me. I am amazed at the ease some people construct their art with. I’ve always had to work at my art and am rarely satisfied with the results. But art still has a magical quality about it that keeps calling me back.
Evan Leake
- Major: Art, BFA with an emphasis in Graphic Design, secondary emphasis in Printmaking
- Class: Graphic Design II, III and Special Problems in Graphic Design
- Student statement: These Eight cds are a selection of the album artwork I created while attending Western Illinois University. I work with the bands and record label to achieve a style and subject matter that fits the themes and sounds contained on the album. Sometimes the band would request a style similar to my previous works, and other times I would be told to do what I felt was right for the release. I have been fortunate to work with clients that allow me a good deal of freedom in my work.
Scott Lenaway
- Major: Art Education, secondary emphasis in Printmaking
- Class: Lithography II
- Artwork title and medium: Gates of Many Nations, stone lithograph on Rives BFK paper
- Student statement: The Lithograph entitled, "Gates of Many Nations", is a product of my deployment where I had kept a series of sketch book images, thoughts and impressions of the Persion Gulf region. I realized through my experiences that the Persion Gulf region has a brilliant history that most American people would never see or learn about. Because of these inaccurate perceptions about the Persion Gulf, professor William Howard suggested that I use my sketch books as source material for prints due to the strong impact of the images, directly affected by my deployment.
Jordan Morrell
- Major: Art, BFA with an emphasis in Sculpture, secondary emphasis in Graphic Design
- Class: Life drawing
- Artwork title and medium: Life drawing, charcoal on paper
- Student statement: Making art, for me, is about making decisions, problem solving, and development of an idea. Sometimes decisions come easy, problems are simple, and ideas seem to develop on their own. Other times its the opposite. Either way its the results I really enjoy, and hopefully others enjoy as well. In this drawing, like all drawings, I find there to be a very interesting process. The artist studies the subject carefully, then interprets what they see in their mind, and then, with their hand and arm, create the interpretation onto the paper. A synthesis of decision making, problem solving, and idea developing all occur with the artist's interpretation of their subject.
Skylar Patridge
- Major: Art, emphasis in Graphic Design
- Class: Graphic Design I
- Artwork title and medium: Of Montreal, digital poster design (created using Adobe Illustrator)
Dean M. Rockwell
- Major: Special studies in Ceramics
- Class: Advanced Ceramics
- Artwork title and medium: At the Falls, ceramic
- Student statement: I am both an artist and a biologist at heart. Whether plant or animal, large or small, powerful or weak: everything is intimately interrelated into the environment of this planet we call Earth. So nature fascinates me and often works its way into my art. In this piece I have tried to capture the power and beauty of rushing water and the struggle necessary to overcome such obstacles simply to maintain and perpetuate life. One can take this work at face value, or it can become a powerful metaphor. Open your eyes and truly see the entire spectrum of your surroundings: from tranquility to pathos, the beautiful to the grotesque, the serious to the humorous. It is all there for us if we will only see and understand; and perhaps interpret in some form of art.
Donny Gettinger
- Major: Art
- Class: Sculpture III
- Artwork title and medium: Hammerhead, bronze
- Student statement: I make art because I feel it is a way to deliver a message to an audience which I would otherwise have trouble getting their attention. This piece was done in bronze because of the quality of permanence offered by the material. It allows for my work to communicate the importance of a magnificent creature that deserves the recognition.
Susan McMurray
- Major: Art, Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design
- Class: Studio Problems Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design
- Artwork title and medium: Gourd Vessel, Copper and sterling silver
- Student statement: I am very interested in the vessel as a way of preserving and holding moments of our lives. This piece in particular utilizes the natural form of a gourd to create a vessel in which a special object, letter or memory, may be placed. By floating the interior bowl that upper space is left more open while a level of secrecy or protection is given to the space below. Making metalwork is a compulsion. I do not feel complete without creating and fabricating work in my studio.
Kyla Cox
- Major: Art, Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design
- Class: Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design II
- Artwork title and medium: Do It, I Dare You, sterling silver
Colleen Kawaters
- Major: Art Education
- Class: Studio Problems Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design
- Artwork title and medium: Manta Ray Box, copper, brass, enamel
