Fall 2012 | Issue 2 | October 12-28, 2012 A3
parsons dance
A7
what we wore
A8
art outside the box
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carillon concert
A9 donor spotlight: SheiLa Lund A10
streaming: New art from old bottles
fall 2012 | issue 2
contents
ARTS NC STATE
A2 ÂŤ ncsu.edu/arts
NCSU Center Stage presents
friday, october 12, 2012 at 8pm | Stewart Theatre Artistic Director David Parsons Executive Director David Harrison
Resident Lighting Designer Howell Binkley Dancers Abby Silva Gavezzoli Eric Bourne Sarah Braverman Steven Vaughn Melissa Ullom Christina Ilisije Jason MacDonald Ian Spring Elena D’Amario Apprentice Performer Christopher Bloom Lauren Garson LeeAnn Ramsey Company & Stage Manager Rebecca Josue Technical Director & Lighting Supervisor Christopher Chambers parsonsdance.org
Programs and casting subject to change.
ROUND MY WORLD 2012 Choreography by David Parsons Lighting Design by Howell Binkley Music by Zoe Keating, “Arrival,” “Walking Man,” “We Insist,” “Legions (Reverie)” Costume Design by Emily DeAngelis ERIC BOURNE, STEVEN VAUGHN, MELISSA ULLOM, CHRISTINA ILISIJE, IAN SPRING, ELENA D’AMARIO
EBBEN 2009 Excerpt from “Remember Me” Choreographed by David Parsons Lighting Design by Howell Binkley Music by Alfredo Catalani from the opera La Wally Arrangement by East Village Opera Company Costume Design by William Ivey Long MELISSA ULLOM
KIND OF BLUE 2001
Choreography by David Parsons Lighting Design by Burke J. Wilmore Music by Miles Davis, “So What” Costume Design by Mia McSwain ERIC BOURNE or STEVEN VAUGHN, CHRISTINA ILISIJE, ELENA D’AMARIO, JASON MACDONALD Kind of Blue was commissioned by the Umbria Jazz Festival in Perugia, Italy. It is a tribute to the 75th anniversary of the birth of Miles Davis and features music from his best selling jazz album of all time. INTERMISSION
A STRAY’S LULLABY 2012
Choreography by Katarzyna Skarpetowska Lighting Design by Christopher Chambers Music Arranged and Performed by Kenji Bunch Costume Design by Reid Bartelme CHRISTINA ILISIJE, JASON MACDONALD, IAN SPRING, ELENA D’AMARIO A Stray’s Lullaby was commissioned by The Joyce Theater Foundation in New York City with the support of The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Please during the performance: Silence your cell phone No photography No texting Thank You! Fall 2012 » Issue 2 » A3
| parsons dance
Associate Artistic Director Elizabeth Koeppen
PROGRAM
pr o gram n o t e s
parsons dance
PARSONS DANCE (cont) PROGRAM (cont)
BIOS
Programs and casting subject to change.
David Parsons (Artistic Director/Co-Founder) has enjoyed a
CAUGHT 1982
Choreography by David Parsons Lighting Concept by David Parsons Lighting Design by Howell Binkley Music by Robert Fripp, “Let The Power Fall” Costume Design by Judy Wirkula ERIC BOURNE or STEVEN VAUGHN Please be advised that strobe lights will be used during this piece. Caught is maintained in the active repertory of Parsons Dance through generous support from the Jim and Linda Ellis Foundation.
SWING SHIFT 2003 Choreography by David Parsons Lighting Design by Howell Binkley Music by Kenji Bunch, “Swing Shift Prelude,” “Night Flight,” “Interhour,” “Club Crawl,” “Magic Hour,” “Grooveboxes” Costume Design by Mia McSwain ERIC BOURNE, STEVEN VAUGHN, MELISSA ULLOM, CHRISTINA ILISIJE, JASON MACDONALD, IAN SPRING, ELENA D’AMARIO Swing Shift was commissioned in celebration of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial by the Performing Arts Society of Acadiana; Irvin David in honor of his wife Karin; the Kentucky Center for the Arts, the Lied Center for Performing Arts; a unit of the University of Nebraska; Altria Group, Inc.; Parsons Dance’s New Works Fund 2003; and the John A. Sellon Charitable Residual Trust.
Parsons Dance is an internationally renowned contemporary dance company under the artistic direction of choreographer/ director David Parsons. Parsons Dance is committed to creating and performing American dance works of extraordinary artistry that are engaging and uplifting to audiences throughout the world. Parsons Dance tours nationally and internationally, including an annual season in its home community of New York City. The Company includes nine full-time dancers. David Parsons has choreographed a repertory of more than 80 works for Parsons Dance. Since 1985, Parsons Dance has toured an average of 32 weeks per year to a total of more than 250 cities, 35 countries, and six continents. Many more have seen Parsons Dance on PBS, Bravo, A&E Network, and the Discovery Channel. In addition to choreography and performance, Parsons Dance is committed to audience development and arts education for participants of all ages and all levels of artistic experience. Parsons Dance regularly offers outreach opportunities, including post-show discussions, master classes, open rehearsals, and studio showcases. In partnership with Marymount Manhattan College and Broadway Dance Center, Parsons Dance offers year-round training opportunities in New York for professional and pre-professional dancers from throughout the world.
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remarkable career as a performer, choreographer, teacher, director, and producer of dance. Mr. Parsons was born in Chicago and raised in Kansas City. He was a leading dancer with The Paul Taylor Dance Company, where Mr. Taylor created many roles for him in works such as Arden Court, Last Look and Roses. He received the Dance Masters of America’s 2011 Annual Award and the 2000 Dance Magazine Award, as well as the 2001 American Choreography Award for his work with AEROS, a production featuring the Romanian Gymnastic Federation broadcast on the Bravo Channel. Mr. Parsons has created more than 80 works for Parsons Dance. He has received commissions over the years from The American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the American Dance Festival, Jacob’s Pillow, the Spoleto Festival, and Het Muziektheater in Amsterdam, to name a few. His work has been performed by Paris Opera Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, Nederlands Danse Theatre, National Ballet of Canada, Hubbard Street Dance, and BatSheva Dance Company of Israel, among many others. In June 2007, Mr. Parsons was honored to be the very first contemporary choreographer ever to stage work at the centuries-old Arena di Verona, in Verona Italy, where he choreographed Verdi’s Aida. In September 2007, he directed and choreographed Gotham Chamber Opera’s production of Maria de Buenos Aires, which made its world premiere at a sold-out engagement in New York, at NYU’s Skirball Center for the Arts. In the July 27, 2007 edition of The New York Times, Jennifer Dunning called David Parsons “one of the great movers of modern dance.”
Elizabeth Koeppen (Associate Artistic Director) was born and
raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where she began her training with Judith Hatcher and Darlene Kelly. She continued her education at SUNY Purchase where she received her B.F.A. under the instruction of Gayle Young, Larry Clarke, Kevin Wynn, Rosanna Seravalli, and Betti-Jane Sills. Teaching credits for The Parsons Dance Company include SUNY Purchase, The Juilliard School, NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, The 92nd Street Y, the New Arts Festival, Baltimore School of the Arts, Peridance, and Dancespace. Ms. Koeppen has staged works by Mr. Parsons on numerous companies, including the Milwaukee Ballet, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Repertory Dance Theater, New York City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal, Louisville Ballet, and Roland Petit’s Ballet National de Marseille. She would like to thank her family and friends for their love and support. Ms. Koeppen joined Parsons Dance in 1989.
Katarzyna (Kate) Skarpetowska (Guest Choreographer) is a native of Warsaw, Poland. She is an alumna of the NYC High School of Performing Arts and received a B.F.A. from The Juilliard School in May 1999 under Artistic Director Benjamin Harkarvy. In 1992, at age 15, she was the youngest cast member of the Broadway show, METRO, directed and choreographed by Janusz Jozefowicz. She was a member of The Parsons Dance Company from 1999 until 2006, The Battleworks Dance Company from 2006 until 2008, and since 2007, she has been working for The Lar Lubovitch Dance Company. Kate has also appeared as a guest artist with The Buglisi Dance Theater since 2009. She has had the privilege of setting the works of Lar Lubovitch, David Parsons, and Robert Battle in the United States and abroad. In addition, her own choreography has been performed by various universities, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Hubbard Street 2, and Parsons Dance. In 2007, she was one of two featured dancers during the Glimmerglass Opera Festival, and in 2008, she toured Italy with Why Be Extraordinary if You Can Be Yourself, a show by Daniel Ezralow. In 2009, she codesigned and co-directed Romeo and Juliet for The Gunter Theater in Greenville, SC. Skarpetowska is a freelance teacher who holds workshops throughout the world. She resides in New York City.
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Abby Silva Gavezzoli (Dancer) grew up in New Orleans, LA.
She studied with Rhonda Edmundson, Charleen Locasio, and Gayle Tabary. After graduating from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts in 1998, Abby moved to New York to attend Marymount Manhattan College, under the direction of Katie Langan, Merle Holloman, and Anthony Ferro. In the Spring of 2002, Abby completed her B.F.A. She has been featured in Dance Magazine and Dance Spirit. Abby joined Parsons Dance in 2002.
Eric Bourne (Dancer) grew up in Midland, MI. He began his
training at 16, under the direction of Sandra Black. His formal training started while attending Ryerson University, studying under Nadia Potts, Karen Duplisea, and Vicki St. Denys. He spent his summers in Colorado studying with Linda Kent, Stephen Pier, Nicolas Villeneuve, and Kristopher Storey at Perry – Mansfield. Moving to New York City in January 2007, he danced the role of James in the North American Tour of Twyla Tharp’s Movin’ Out. Eric joined Parsons Dance in August 2008.
Sarah Braverman (Dancer) is Chicago born and California raised. She trained extensively in the Royal Academy of Dance, under the direction of JoAnna Jarvis and Bernadette Hill, completing all examinations up to advanced II with distinction. In 2006, she became a founding member of NYC based modern company, AM Dance Project. Sarah graduated cum laude from Marymount Manhattan College in 2008 under the direction of Katie Langan and had the honor of performing works by David Marquez, Robert Battle, David Parsons, Graham Lustig, Stephen Petronio, and Joao Carvallo. Sarah joined Parsons Dance in 2008. Steven Vaughn (Dancer) was born in Iowa City, IA and grew up
dancing all over the Midwest. Steve graduated in May 2009 from the University of the Arts with a B.F.A. in Modern Dance. While attending the University of the Arts in Philadelphia he was given the opportunity to perform works by Silvanna Cardell, Martha Graham, and Twyla Tharp, among others while allowing him to present his own choreography. His college career also afforded him the privilege of working professionally with Diane Sharp-Nachsin’s SHARP Dance Company, Scott Jovovich in Brandywine Ballet Theater, Zane Booker and his Smoke, Lillies, Jade Arts Initiative, and Brian Sanders’ JUNK. Steven joined Parsons Dance in June 2008 as an apprentice and became an official company member in August 2009.
Melissa Ullom (Dancer) is from Santa Barbara, CA, where she trained under Michele Anderson and Denise Rinaldi. Upon graduation from high school, Melissa trained full-time with the Houston Ballet Academy and later the Lou Conte Dance Center/Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. She has worked professionally with Houston Ballet, Smuin Ballet, Company C Contemporary Ballet, State St. Ballet, and Santa Barbara Dance Theatre. Melissa graduated with High Honors from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Art History, and a minor in Exercise and Health Science. Melissa holds her comprehensive Pilates Certification from Body Arts and Science International. Melissa joined Parsons Dance in 2009. Christina Ilisije (Dancer) graduated summa cum laude from
Marymount Manhattan College in 2007 with a B.F.A. in Dance. Her choreographic work, Naked Branches, was recognized with the Alpha Chi Award. Upon graduation, she became a company member with Buglisi Dance Theatre, where she performed and instructed company outreach. Christina also danced with Maxine Steinman & Dancers and as a guest artist with Take Dance and Shen Wei Dance Arts. Her choreographic work has been presented at Danspace Project and The Hatch. She writes about her passions on her blog Living Dance (www.living-dance.com). Christina joined Parsons Dance in 2010.
Jason MacDonald (Dancer), an Orlando native, began his dance training with Melissa Stokes and later with Alberto Alonso, Sonia Calero and Alora Haynes at Santa Fe College. He has performed with the New York City Opera and Alabama Ballet Company under Artistic Director, Wes Chapman. His repertoire includes Cinderella, Don Quixote, Firebird, and George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker and Serenade. He recently graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance and a B.S. in Finance from The Florida State University. Jason joined Parsons Dance in August 2010. Ian Spring (Dancer) is originally from Middletown, OH where he began his training under the direction of Phyllis DeWeese-Morgan. After graduating from high school, Ian attended Point Park University in Pittsburgh, PA. While at Point Park, he had the honor of performing pieces by Robert Battle, Martha Graham, and Kate Skarpetowska among others. Ian graduated summa cum laude with his B.A. in Dance. Ian has worked with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company 2. Ian joined Parsons Dance in August 2010. Fall 2012 » Issue 2 » A5
| parsons dance
Photo by Lois Greenfield
PARSONS DANCE Elena D’Amario (Dancer) was born in Pescara, Italy. She studied
modern, ballet, contemporary, and tap at various schools throughout Italy. Over the years, she has won multiple festivals and competitions including the Pescara Dance Festival, the International Expression Dance Competition in 2008, and the TipTap show in 2007 and 2009. Additionally, Elena has appeared on multiple TV shows including “Camera Smile,” “Il ballo delle debuttanti,” and “Tutti x uno.” She eventually auditioned for the popular “Amici 9” series, which led her to winning the opportunity to apprentice with Parsons Dance for the 2010-2011 season. Elena became an official company member in August 2011.
Christopher Bloom (Apprentice Performer) is from Middletown, VA, where he started training at the Vostrikov’s Academy of Ballet at the age of 15. Christopher trained as a scholarship student at the Ballet and Contemporary Dance Programs in the School at Jacob’s Pillow under Anna-Marie Holmes and Milton Myers. He will soon graduate from the Ailey/Fordham B.F.A. Dance Program, where he had the opportunity to perform works by Sidra Bell, Francesca Harper, Camille A. Brown, Jennifer Muller, Paul Taylor, and Alvin Ailey. He has performed professionally with 360° Dance Company and with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Christopher joined Parsons Dance in 2011. Lauren Garson (Apprentice Performer) received her Bachelor of Fine
Arts in Dance from Point Park University. Lauren trained with the José Limón Institute, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and pre-professional programs at Point Park University and STEPS on Broadway. She became Stott pilates trained in essential/intermediate level Mat and Reformer in order to enhance her knowledge of anatomy and explore more functional ways of re-aligning and moving the body. Lauren has also been a passionate dance instructor to students age 3-adult for the past decade. For four years, Lauren was a member of the Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, working with noted choreographers and touring throughout the United States. Lauren joined Parsons Dance in 2012.
LeeAnn Ramsey (Apprentice Performer) was born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida. She began dancing at a young age and trained extensively at Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Leeann graduated cum laude with a BFA in Dance from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. While at George Mason, she had the honor to perform in works by David Parsons, Jacqulyn Buglisi, Lar Lubovitch, Ohad Naharin and Robert Battle. She is currently working with DAMAGEDANCE in New York City. Leeann joined Parsons Dance in 2012. Howell Binkley (Resident Lighting Designer/Co-Founder) is the
proud co-founder of Parsons Dance where, alongside his dearest friend David Parsons, he has designed more than seventy pieces for the company. Broadway works include: Jesus Christ Superstar, How To Succeed... starring Daniel Radcliffe (2011 Tony nomination), Lombardi, Million Dollar Quartet, All About Me, Memphis, West Side Story (2009 Tony nomination), Guys and Dolls, Gypsy starring Patti LuPone, In The Heights (2008 Tony nomination), Crybaby, Xanadu, LoveMusik, The Farnsworth Invention, Bridge & Tunnel, Jersey Boys (Tony Award Winner), Steel Magnolias, Dracula, Avenue Q, Golda’s Balcony, Hollywood Arms, The Look of Love, Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, Minnelli on Minnelli, The Full Monty, Parade, Kiss Of The Spider Woman (1993 Tony nomination), Sacrilege, Taking Sides, How To Succeed... with Matthew Broderick, High Society and Grease. Off-Broadway works include: The Kid at The New Group, Tin Pan Alley Rag, Never The Sinner, Landscape of The Body at The Signature Theatre, Sinatra at Radio City Music Hall, Radiant Baby at The Public Theatre and Batboy – The Musical. Extensive Regional and dance works include Whistle Down The Wind at The Kennedy A6 « ncsu.edu/arts
Center, Kander and Ebb’s Over and Over, The Joffrey Ballet’s Billboards, six musicals in repertory for The Kennedy Center’s Sondheim Celebration and the lighting design for pieces at Alvin Ailey, MoMix, Peter Pucci Plus, Hubbard Street Dance, ABT, The LaJolla Playhouse, The Alley Theatre, The Goodman Theatre, The Guthrie, The McCarter Theatre, The Hartford Stage, The Old Globe and The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C. Mr. Binkley is a five time Helen Hayes Award recipient and was awarded the 1993 Sir Laurence Olivier Award and Canadian Dora Award for Kiss of The Spider Woman. 2006 Henry Hewes Design Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Tony Award winner for Jersey Boys. Howell teaches Master Classes in Lighting Design in multiple undergraduate and graduate arts programs and has created a yearly scholarship and internship opportunity at his Alma Mater, East Carolina University, for an outstanding student in his beloved field of Lighting Design.
David Harrison (Executive Director) has more than twenty-five years of successful administrative experience in the literary, visual and performing arts. Formerly a senior director at ASU Gammage, the arts presenting program at Arizona State University, Harrison has worked successfully with a diverse range of the world’s most important performing artists. In 1994, Harrison (along with Parsons Dance International Council member Dr. Michael Blachly) was part of a four-university team that co-commissioned and presented the firstever U.S. national tour of the internationally renowned Tanztheater Wuppertal–Pina Bausch. Recently, Harrison served as executive producer of both the stage and PBS television productions of “Remember Me,” a collaboration with the rock-opera band, East Village Opera Company and David Parson’s very first full-length dance. Harrison is active throughout the performing arts industry, as a Board member, consultant, collaborator and speaker. Mr. Harrison joined Parsons Dance in October 2006. Parsons Dance
229 West 42nd Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10036 212-869-9275 • info@parsonsdance.org DAVID HARRISON, Executive Director SANDY BUSKEN, Program, Development & Marketing Associate SARAH BRAVERMAN, Office Manager
Artists’ Representative
Margaret Selby, President CAMI Spectrum 1790 Broadway, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10019 212-841-9554 • mselby@cami.com
Press Representative
Michelle Brandon Tabnick Michelle Tabnick Communications 646-765-4773 • michelle@michelletabnickcommunications.com Parsons Dance gratefully acknowledges the following for their support: The Cowles Charitable Trust, The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, The Friars Foundation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, The Joyce Theater, New York State Council on the Arts, Nina W. Werblow Charitable Trust, The Shubert Foundation and Theater Development Fund. In addition, Parsons Dance is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
Support Parsons Dance
Nycharities.org/parsonsdance Parsons Dance can accept gifts of stock and mutual funds. Please contact us at 212-869-9275 to learn about the advantages of contributing securities.
Celebrating 125 Years of Fashion, Music, Achievement, and Change Written and directed by John C. McIlwee
saturday, october 13, 2012 at 7:30pm sunday, october 14, 2012 at 2pm | titmus Theatre
Music Director Julie Florin Choreographer Christopher Imershein Scenic Elements Jayme Mellema, David Jensen and Ron Foreman Lighting and Sound Josh Reaves COSTUME SHOP Em Rossi, Laura Parker
University Theatre thanks C.T. WEEKENDS Ladies Fashions Cameron Village 437 Daniels Street | 919.787.9073
Featuring fashions from the collections of: Joan DeGusto Nancy and John McIlwee University Theatre Art to Wear 2012 C.T. Weekends Soloists: Michael Brews Robert Chapman Joanne Dickinson Teresa Fernandez Linh Schladweiler Eric Wilbanks Fashions modeled by: Maggie Briggs Lynda Clark Nancy McIlwee Megan Farrell Dawn Imershein Nih Vu Lindsay House Nicole Tyra Lela Johnston Eric Wilbanks Juni Cuevas Destiny Diamond McNeill Margaret Alexander Teresa Fernandez Joan DeGusto Brett Williams Deanna Lopez Ronilynn Osborne Shelby Carson Musicians: Julie Florin, Piano David Aduddell, Bass Aaron Bittikofer, Bass Greg Florin, Drums
Crew: Katherine Fuller, Stage Manager Trameeka Reid, Light Board Tanner Williams, Andrew Enloe, Follow Spots Kevin Wright, Jamie Nance, Sound Josh Reaves, Ron Foreman, Lauren Caddick, Projections Preparation: Joan DeGusto Lynda Clark Alex Donne Ruth Sappie Maggie Briggs Dancers: Joan DeGusto Dawn Imershein Nancy McIlwee Christopher Imershein Dressers/Makeup: Annie Wilt Asha Brodie Juni Cuevas Kimberlin Torain Alyssa Rabel Bryan Sibille Calvin Ferguson Glenn Billups Kathryn Wilberding Maggie Miller Zebulun Farrell Paige Broadaway Larissa Baransky Acknowledgements: University Archives 125th Anniversary Committee
Fall 2012 » Issue 2 » A7
| what we wore
Friedrich Nietzsche wrote “Improving style means improving thought.” For fashionistas and academics here lies a common ground and an imaginative basis for this revue. Fashion has always reflected current moods. Certainly, in this time of accelerated change, we can pause and look with humor and sentiment on where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished, and where we’re going in the future.
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what we wore
art outside the box
Celebrate the future home of Raleigh’s newest museum! Sunday, October 28, 2012, 12-4pm The Historic Chancellor’s Residence | 1903 Hillsborough Street Join us for a free, festive gathering of artists and musicians at the historic chancellor’s residence, the future home of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design.
TALK to the master, Pearl Fryar, about topiary art!
CREATE with potters, painters, jewelers, origami, digital, and other artists!
WALK through NC State’s historic chancellor’s residence to see examples from the Gregg’s amazing art collection!
TASTE key lime tarts, pickles, and chocolate chip cookies! LISTEN to jazz, rock, soul, country, and a cappella! CHECK OUT renderings of the new Gregg, a museum for
NC State University, Raleigh, and the entire region!
ENJOY a casual afternoon for all ages! Find out more at ncsu.edu/gregg
Join us for a free carillon concert at NC State’s Belltower
Tiffany Ng, guest artist Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 2pm | NC STate Belltower To celebrate the restoration of NC State’s Memorial Tower carillon, as well as NC State’s 125th anniversary, join us for a free concert on the grounds of the Belltower. The performer will be Tiffany Ng, who serves as associate carillonist at the University of California, Berkeley, where she is a Ph.D. student in Musicology and New Media.
NC State’s Maas-Rowe Carillon is a rare and innovative instrument with virtually no repertoire of its own. This concert will journey through disparate potential sonic worlds for the instrument, from baroque to avant-garde, folk song to film songs, in order to reveal this carillon’s potential for both beguiling lyricism and startling experimentalism. The world premiere of “And They Shall Beat Their Swords Into Plowshares” by Andrew S. Allen, written specifically for the Belltower, will bring those potentialities together. The program will include works by Bach, Vivaldi, Haydn, and Richard Felciano. A8 « ncsu.edu/arts
a student all her life The Gregg Museum of Art & Design is undergoing a tremendous transformation that will culminate with the opening of the new Gregg at the site of the historic chancellor’s residence on Hillsborough Street. However these exciting changes have been accompanied by the sad losses of the Gregg’s curator, Lynn Jones Ennis, its namesake, Nancy Gregg, and most recently a dear friend and supporter, Sheila Lund. These three remarkable women, who left indelible legacies on a museum they loved, are pictured to the right. Friends of Sheila Lund, who died in August at the age of 81, summon many of the same adjectives to describe their late friend: wonderful, brilliant, independent, and private. Sheila was a lifelong student of everything – especially art – and had traveled every corner of the globe. Sheila was born in England, lived around the world with her first husband, who was a member of the Royal Navy, and lived in Ibiza, Spain for many years before settling in North Carolina almost three decades ago. When Sheila first arrived in Chapel Hill from Ibiza with her second husband, an American named John Lund, she believed she had moved to “a cultural desert.” She later changed her mind completely and chose to stay in North Carolina even after her husband’s death in 1998. Sheila remained in the area because of the friends she had made, the art she could experience, and the many opportunities to teach and learn. Sheila’s passions were to learn and to share her knowledge. She became known – even renowned – for the engaging and innovative tours that she led as a docent at the North Carolina Museum of Art. Sheila was also a member and instructor in the Encore Program for Lifelong Enrichment at NC State. She co-taught a course on American painting and literature with Friends of the Gregg president and professor emeritus of English, Jim Clark. As a lecturer, Jim recalls that Sheila “was completely herself,” and “an astonishing presence.” Jim admired Sheila’s ability to relate different art forms to one another and her drive to learn. Sheila was selftaught in art history, having had no known formal education, yet she was extremely knowledgeable in seemingly every period. Sheila’s dearest friend was Nancy Carpenter Gregg, who also passed away last March at the age of 78. Nancy and her deceased husband, John Gregg, are the namesakes of the Gregg Museum of Art & Design. Nancy was the Gregg Museum’s most passionate champion, and she and Sheila visited the Gregg together often. Sheila was thrilled for Nancy when they learned that Nancy’s dream for the Gregg had come true: the museum would relocate to its permanent home at the site of the historic chancellor’s residence on Hillsborough Street. Sheila was a longtime Collectors’ Circle member and attended nearly all of the Gregg’s exhibitions and programs. In 2011 she attended the symposium Traces: Mapping a Journey in Textiles, organized by the Gregg’s late associate director and curator, Dr. Lynn Jones Ennis. Lynn brought together an international array of textile artists whose works were concurrently on exhibition in the Gregg’s galleries, and
From left: Sheila Lund, Lynn Jones Ennis, and Nancy Gregg, holding a Moorcroft plate Sheila donated to the Gregg Museum of Art & Design in 2010. she planned a series of events on campus and around Raleigh. Sheila interacted with many NC State students during the symposium and was so impressed by their experiences that she created the Sheila Margaret Lund Endowment through a will bequest. The endowment will provide funding for students who wish to participate in activities at the Gregg Museum. Sheila expressed her hope that the endowment would inspire more NC students to appreciate the arts, which were so important in her own life experience. Sheila, who was a very private person, did not share her decision to create an endowment for the Gregg with even her closest friends. Yet none of her friends is surprised that she did so, and they believe that all of her support for the Gregg drew from her friendship with Nancy Gregg. Sheila’s choice to center her endowment on students is fitting, her friend Anne Packer explains, since “Sheila was a student all her life. Her passion was learning and passing on knowledge.” The Gregg Museum of Art & Design is fortunate to have benefitted from the generosity and engagement of Sheila Lund. While she will be deeply missed, Sheila’s tremendous love of learning and teaching will live indefinitely in the students who benefit from the Sheila Margaret Lund Endowment. If you would like to contribute to the Sheila Margaret Lund Endowment in Sheila’s memory, please contact Nicole Peterson, Director of Development, at 919-513-1337 or nicole_peterson@ncsu.edu. Fall 2012 » Issue 2 » A9
STREAMING:
new art from old bottles An installation by environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck
On display through December 16, 2012 | Gregg Museum of Art & Design The Gregg Museum offered NC State students a rare opportunity to take part in creating a major hands-on artwork alongside well known environmental artist Bryant Holsenbeck. Using thousands of plastic bottles and other recyclables, students from the Arts Village, University Scholars and the College of Natural Resources, as well as participants from the community, worked together to build an installation in the Gregg Museum galleries as part of the museum’s fall exhibition lineup. Each participant was asked to bring ten of their own (washed clean) plastic bottles and containers to include in the installation. Bryant Holsenbeck reflects on this creation of this installation: “60 years ago plastic was a miracle. Now as well as being inherent in our way of life, allowing for so many new inventions, it is a problem for the waste stream. It is my hope that single-use plastic made to last forever and used once will soon be an equation of the past. “As I have worked with the students here at NC State, I have been thinking how these students who are artists, engineers, product designers and the like are the ones who will help to affect this change.”
From the artist As an environmental artist, I collect detritus – everyday objects that were used once and thrown away – and make them into art. My installations are both meditations and questions: Where does all this “stuff” come from? Where does it go? What do we do with it? Why is it here? – Bryant Holsenbeck
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