KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN OF FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
FALL 2017 kcad.edu
Experience INFLUENTIAL EXPERIENCES
THE ART OF RIGHT NOW
PATHWAYS
Former KCAD Board member champions creativity and community
UICA celebrates 40 years of dynamic contemporary art experiences
KCAD’s new model for general education offers freedom of choice
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SEEN & HEARD
A few of the newest members of the KCAD alumni community are all smiles at commencement 2017.
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KCAD alumni reconnecting at the annual Alumni VIP event during commencement week 2017.
Interim Dean Ron Riksen welcomes newly appointed Dean of Academic Affairs Charles Wright to KCAD during the opening reception for the 2017 Annual Student Exhibition.
I think it’s safe to say that KCAD is no longer a secret. When you see the quality of the student work and all of the connections the college is making outside of itself, it’s incredible.” — Dirk Hoffius, former KCAD Board member
Winners in Wege Prize 2017, the fourth iteration of the international student design competition organized by KCAD and supported by the Wege Foundation. The competition challenges teams to work across institutional, disciplinary, and cultural boundaries to solve complex, “wicked” problems.
2017 graduate and Graphic Design Excellence Award winner Sakino Tomiura.
ON EXPERIENCE An experienced person might be described as “knowledgeable” or “skillful”—the kind of person we trust for guidance. But the word experience actually comes from the Latin experīrī, meaning “to try” or “put to the test.” The word’s etymological roots, then, point to the energetic activity of examination and scrutiny. Thus, the word “experience” encompasses two seemingly opposing concepts—both the possession of knowledge and its pursuit. Those concepts, though apparent opposites, actually coexist in classrooms that include, on one hand, faculty who are experts in their fields and, on the other, students who are just beginning their careers. In fact, it’s in our classrooms that both versions of experience are so necessary. After all, a tree’s roots grow lifeless when deprived of the energy of water and sun, just as knowledge becomes stale without rigorous testing and examination. Similarly, a tree without roots would not thrive or produce, just as examination without a grounding in wisdom would be detached, fruitless. But with the requisite experience and wisdom, faculty and students have the courage to engage in new experiments; we have the bravery, as poet Rainer Maria Rilke put it, to “live the questions” to which we do not yet have answers. An expanded understanding of experience—as both the possession and pursuit of knowledge—honors both wisdom and curiosity, encouraging us to cultivate new ways of thinking, analyzing, creating, and growing. Dr. Susanna Kelly Engbers, Professor, General Education Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University Turn to page 9 to see how KCAD’s General Education program is providing students with a broad knowledge base combined with deep experience in a selected area.
ON A MISSION As a college within Ferris State University, Kendall College of Art and Design prepares students for leadership in the visual arts, design, art history, and art education; provides innovative, collaborative education that fosters intellectual growth and individual creativity; and promotes the ethical and civic responsibilities of artists and designers, locally and globally. Let us know what you think: kcadcommunications@ferris.edu. Original designs from KCAD’s student fashion alliance, Bodies of Art, showcased at the organization’s annual fashion show.
KCAD students exploring work in The Jump Off, a recent group exhibition at KCAD’s Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA).
ON THE COVER That’s no photograph—this issue’s cover showcases 2017 Digital Media graduate Issac Taracks’ mastery of Cinema 4D modeling software.
CONTENTS
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04 Influential Experiences 06 The Art of Right Now, for 40 Years Running 08 Found in Translation 09 Pathways: KCAD’s New Model for General Education 10 Center: “Tux” 12 Architects of the Future 13 A Life Ingrained: KCAD Remembers Furniture Design Professor Bruce Mulder 14 Laura Niece 15 News & Notes
INFLUENTIAL EXPERIENCES Former KCAD Board Member Dirk Hoffius Champions Creativity and Community By Kyle Austin Twenty-seven years ago, Dirk Hoffius heard a powerful address at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University’s (KCAD’s) commencement ceremony that has influenced him ever since. The message given by Theodore A. Bell, then president of Leo Burnett USA, focused on taking control of one’s career and life through dedication, passion, and the power of connecting with others. Hoffius took those lessons to heart, so much so that they inform everything and everyone his work touches. For Hoffius, success has come largely from helping others succeed as well. Though he wears many hats—estate planning attorney, philanthropist, volunteer, entrepreneur, and cookbook author, to name a few—his calling card is his passion for connecting people, places, and opportunities. The Grand Rapids native has been a steady force for community-building and placemaking in his hometown since beginning his career at Varnum LLP in 1969. At the center of his efforts lies a deep understanding of how art, design, and creativity have shaped the city’s identity. “The value of art and design to the region is enormous,” Hoffius says. “Looking at how Grand Rapids has changed since the’60s, to me that transformation happened the way it did because we didn’t just build things; we cared about how they looked, how they felt, how they worked, and how they would impact the people interacting with them.”
Ferris Futures Scholarship Challenge On July 1, 2016, Ferris State University launched an extraordinary opportunity for donors to team up with The Ferris Foundation to help students. This unique program, called the Ferris Futures Scholarship Challenge, provides for scholarship endowment gifts at KCAD and Ferris to be matched dollar for dollar. For more information, please visit ferris.edu/giving/ ferrisfutures or contact Jill Schneider in the KCAD President’s Office at 616.451.2787 x1150 or JillSchneider@ferris.edu.
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KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
Following in the footsteps of his father, who helped bring Alexander Calder’s “La Grande Vitesse” to Grand Rapids, and his mother, who served for years on the board of the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM), Hoffius has long been an ardent supporter of West Michigan’s creative community. Along with his work at KCAD, he was part of the development of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, helping coalesce donor support as a board member for both the park and the Frederik Meijer Gardens Foundation. He also currently serves on the board of GRAM. After being part of the legal team that helped broker KCAD’s acquisition of the original 17 Fountain St. NW Building in downtown Grand Rapids in the early 1980s, Hoffius was asked to join the KCAD Board of Trustees, where he served from 1982 to 1991, including a two-year period as chairman, from 1987 to 1989. His tenure came at a time when the college was poised to take the next step in its evolution.
“In those days, there were incredible things happening at KCAD, but not everyone knew about them,” Hoffius recalls. “We used to use the phrase ‘best-kept secret.’” Through an intensive strategic planning process, Hoffius and others helped lay the groundwork for KCAD’s merger with Ferris State University. The partnership spurred a robust period of growth for the college in terms of the student body, the campus and its resources, and the breadth and depth of students’ education experiences. “I think it’s safe to say that KCAD is no longer a secret,” Hoffius says. “When you see the quality of the student work and all of the connections the college is making outside of itself, it’s incredible.” Hoffius points to KCAD’s support of both ArtPrize and of GRAM’s 2016 exhibition of Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen’s work as prime examples of the college’s capacity for impact. “Here’s a world-renowned designer in Grand Rapids whose work is all about the intersection of art, design, and technology,” Hoffius says of the van Herpen exhibition. “That intersection is what this region is all about, and KCAD and its students are a key part of it all.”
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rewrote Bell’s 1990 KCAD commencement address into a guide for new Varnum associates titled “The Best Advice I Ever Got.” The guide consists of 10 key life lessons adapted from Bell’s speech. The lessons are deceptively obvious, powerfully simple, and universally applicable. Take the first lesson, for example: “Do things.” “If you sit through life saying, ‘there’s no point in my doing that; that’s not what I do,’ you’re going to miss so many opportunities that could potentially change your life,” Hoffius says. “Be active and explore new things, because you never know what you’ll find.” Another lesson, “Love what you do. Do what you love,” is a stark reminder that passion begets success, both personally and professionally. “I could have been a decent trial lawyer, but I wouldn’t have had the same passion for it, nor would I have gotten all of these other opportunities to connect to the arts, to institutions like KCAD, and to the community at large,” Hoffius says. However, it’s the lesson “Learning is forever” that has motivated Hoffius’ strongest contribution to KCAD
Dirk has long been a strong supporter of West Michigan and its creative community, and we are immensely grateful that he has chosen to enable transformative education experiences for KCAD students who will, in turn, bring their creative expertise to the community and the world.”
— Leslie Bellavance, President, KCAD
In early 2015, Hoffius was again tapped by KCAD, this time as part of the search committee that resulted in the hiring of Leslie Bellavance as the college’s 13th president. “Dirk has a way of seeing possibilities and paths forward that others can’t,” says Ferris State University President David Eisler. “When it came time to choose who would lead KCAD into the future, I knew his experience and perspective would be invaluable.” Despite his immense contributions to KCAD and the region at large, Hoffius is adamant that he’s only a bit player. Like so many of West Michigan’s most influential citizens, he knows that actualizing a better world takes a village. “It’s a whole bunch of us thinking the same kinds of things at the same time,” Hoffius says of his community involvement. “And the more you talk about it, the more likely it is that it can happen.” This kind of plainspoken wisdom is at the heart of Hoffius’ approach to all facets of his work. After obtaining permission from Theodore Bell, Hoffius
yet. This summer, he established a general endowed scholarship through Ferris State University’s Ferris Futures Scholarship Challenge, a donor matching initiative that will help KCAD students succeed for years to come. “The Ferris Futures initiative is a tremendous opportunity to highlight the value KCAD and Ferris State University bring to their communities and vice versa,” says KCAD President Leslie Bellavance. “Dirk has long been a strong supporter of West Michigan and its creative community, and we are immensely grateful that he has chosen to enable transformative education experiences for KCAD students who will, in turn, bring their creative expertise to the community and the world.” For Hoffius, the endowment isn’t so much a gift as it is a commonsense investment in our collective future. “We owe it to ourselves as a community to support young people who will help drive the world forward, both locally and globally,” he says. “When students can succeed, all sorts of possibilities open up.”
The Best Advice I Ever Got 1. Do things. You have three choices in life: You can make things happen; you can watch things happen; or you can wonder, “Hey, what in the world happened?” Do things.
2. Find a mentor. Your mentor will be smarter than you, more talented than you, more sophisticated than you, and wiser than you. Yet somehow, for all that, he or she will believe in you.
3. Be nice to everyone. Nice people don’t finish last; they just don’t talk about winning on the way to the finish line.
4. Be on time. Be committed to the task at hand because everybody’s time is as important as yours. Agreeing to a meeting is making a promise. Keep it.
5. The magic words. If you want someone to do something for you, say “please.” If they do it, say “thank you.” If you do something and it’s wrong, say you’re sorry.
6. Never point your finger. Unless you’re giving directions, that is. Be part of the solution, not the problem. But never be afraid to fess up to your own mistakes. Strive for fairness in all things.
7. Stay curious. Ask questions. The dumbest question is the one you never ask. It was your missed opportunity to learn.
8. Keep it simple. Strive for simplicity in everything. Think about it: Have you ever heard anyone say, “I love the guy—he makes everything so complicated”?
9. Love what you do. Do what you love. This is absolutely critical. If you don’t love what you’re doing, you probably won’t perform as well as you could. And even if you are successful, you’ll be miserable, so what’s the point?
10. Learning is forever. The more we learn, the better we do, and the more we enjoy what we do. More importantly, our careers and our lives do not become boring if we continue to learn, to explore new things, and to grow.
KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
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THE ART OF RIGHT NOW, FOR 40 YEARS RUNNING Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD) is focused on nurturing the artists and designers of the future, and key to that mission is the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts’ (UICA) focus on the art of right now. By Karin Lannon
Top: Local filmmakers (left to right) Dale Jackson, Nicholas Hartman (UICA Film Coordinator), Spencer Everhart, and Jackson Ezinga form the panel responsible for curating and facilitating discussion of work by up-and-coming filmmakers in West Michigan through UICA’s Open Projector Night events.
UICA is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Today, UICA sits in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, with four floors of gallery space, a 195seat movie theater, and a full calendar of visual arts, film, dance, spoken word, performance art, music, and educational programming. Its 40th anniversary exhibition, US IS THEM: Art from the Pizzuti Collection, was deeply rooted in the radical notion to connect current historical and cultural moments to a broader community within the city, featuring work from 42 international artists confronting issues of politics, religion, racism, and equity. Utilizing a yearlong approach to community collaboration in UICA’s content and programming, the resulting exhibition created a transformational moment for the city and a paradigm shift for UICA itself. While UICA has changed over the years, it has always presented its audience with provocative and pertinent questions through its exhibitions and programing. UICA began as a 1970s grassroots initiative based on the need to provide a place where creative people could come together and express themselves. Ronald Watson, one of UICA’s four founders and its first executive director, says the organization grew from a rising interest in public art spurred by the installation of “La Grande Vitesse,” the Calder stabile that was erected in 1969. “There was a lot of activity and interest in public art here in the ‘70s,” he explains. “That led to discussions with the women’s committee at GRAM and ultimately to our first exhibition, Sculpture Off the Pedestal, featuring work from several prominent U.S. artists who made or loaned work for public sites in Grand Rapids.” That exhibition captured the attention of the community, generating more interest in contemporary art and creating a like-minded group of artists and volunteers. In 1977, the group officially became a nonprofit organization,
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setting up shop in an empty warehouse that it leased from the city for a dollar. According to Watson, “The first audience was other artists. Everybody was young, and we were all pointed toward the future. UICA answered a real need, because…it also opened the doors for people to do new things and try new things, because there was a place to do them now.” Operating on a shoestring budget, UICA jumped right into programming. “We were really pushing the edge in terms of artists being shown,” says Watson. “Our first show was Louise Nevelson prints, and in those days, that was a pretty big deal. Of course, we were making it up as we went, but we thought we were doing pretty damn well! There was still a lot of energy.” With this auspicious origin and energetic momentum, UICA continued to bring not only exhibitions and programming of contemporary art, but also support for artists with the introduction of studio spaces and community programs. This drive and ambition propelled UICA through several decades and moves from the original site to the former electric company on Race Street, known as the Race Street Gallery, through to the purchase and renovation of its building on Sheldon Street in 1998. “UICA was always very ambitious,” states former director Paul Wittenbraker. “It represented all the ideas that are hot today, like innovation, design thinking, interdisciplinary work, and reimagined community and culture.” One early project involved 24-hour video coverage of an artist who lived and worked in the building— a project that Wittenbraker says anticipated the live feeds of the 21st century and modeled a new use of media. “We knew when we were doing that, we were experiencing something from the future,” he says.
Clockwise from left: UICA sits in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids as the epicenter of contemporary art in the city. Artist Latesha Lipscomb (left) and UICA Executive Director Miranda Krajniak (right) at the opening reception for the US IS THEM and Here + Now exhibitions. Recent exhibitions Here + Now and US IS THEM connected viewers to powerful works confronting issues of politics, religion, and racism.
As with other urban, artist-run, community art organizations in the United States at this time, they drew on funding from national and regional arts-granting agencies, such as the Michigan Council for the Arts, the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, and the National Endowment for the Arts. However, UICA is one of a very few of these grassroots art organizations that has had the resilience to persist, surviving funding model changes in the 1980s. Interior designer Kathryn Chaplow was serving as a board member when the capital campaign for the Fulton Street building began, but the recession left the campaign incomplete. “We asked ourselves, ‘Are we going to close the doors, and if not, how do we keep them open?’ So we sought out a partnership and found one with KCAD.” UICA officially merged with KCAD of Ferris State University in 2013, teaming with a group of community donors to generously pay off the building debt and complete construction of the upper floors. The merger preserved UICA for the community, while enriching students’ experiences with access to exhibitions of contemporary art by living artists, interactions with the college curriculum, and access to films and cultural events. Looking back, Chaplow says, “The one thing that stands out is realizing that UICA is one of the facets of culture that is valued and supported
by the whole community. It’s remarkable that we have a group that would come together to preserve this piece of the cultural landscape for Grand Rapids. It’s the only reason the organization is still open today.” KCAD alumna Miranda Krajniak (’06, BFA Drawing) became interim, and then executive, director, during this process. Today, she says both the staff and the audience skew younger than previous iterations of UICA. “Every UICA has had a different vision of what UICA is,” she explains. “UICA can be anything.” In its current form, UICA hosts up to a dozen originally curated and traveling exhibitions a year, including visual and performance art, as well as lectures, musical performances, and educational programs. It also hosts independent, international, and documentary films six nights a week, along with regular Open Projector Nights for short films from Michigan filmmakers or those with ties to Michigan. What’s more, UICA’s Exit Space Project (ESP) provides support for street artists and public art, including colorful murals on highly visible “entry or exit spaces” to the city—a project that harkens back to UICA’s first public art exhibition. As the organization turns 40 this year, Krajniak says her staff thought carefully about how best to commemorate the occasion. “We didn’t want to do a ‘greatest hits’ show, even though it would have been easy,” she says. “We’re about
the present and the future, so we wanted to focus on something we hadn’t done well yet—and, historically, we have not done a good enough job bringing in communities of color.” Recent exhibitions did just that, with US IS THEM, in which international artists explored issues of social justice, solidarity, and tolerance between people from different cultures, and Here + Now, presenting work from emerging and mid-career African American visual artists, spoken word artists, curators, and performance artists, as well as community events and education programs. “We’re making a concerted effort to invite people in and make sure UICA is a community where they can see themselves reflected in a meaningful way,” says Krajniak. From 1977 to 2017 and beyond, Wittenbraker says there will always be a place for independent organizations like UICA. “It’s essential that we have spaces where these activities of reimagining ways of living and being can take place in structured and unstructured ways,” he says. “Without them, those things can only take place in private spaces, which tend to be monocultural, or in commercial spaces, which, for all their fun, are not there with the public’s interest foremost in their minds.” Chaplow adds, “What is radical [about UICA] is that it keeps moving forward. That’s what contemporary art does, and that’s why it remains exciting.”
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What is radical [about UICA] is that it keeps moving forward. That’s what contemporary art does and that’s why it remains exciting.”
— Kathryn Chaplow, Interior Designer, former UICA Board member KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
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Mackinac Technology founder John Slagter (left) and Industrial Design Program Chair Jon Moroney (middle) review concepts with KCAD students.
Found in Translation Using the Language of Design to Help Startups Take the Next Step By John Wiegand
Imagine, for a moment, working at the helm of an internal design team for a government-backed startup researching cutting-edge, energy-saving technologies. You, along with a cadre of your peers, are responsible for translating heaps of technical and scientific data into a marketable product that customers will actually buy. The workload is intense, the deadlines are real, and the success of a company depends on your expertise. For KCAD students, that situation has become a reality. Over the past two semesters, students from a number of KCAD design programs worked closely with Grand Rapids-based Mackinac Technology to commercialize a heat-repellant window covering that could significantly enhance the energy efficiency of buildings. Unlike a traditional internship, the collaboration has put students in a real-world entrepreneurial environment where the stakes are high, yet one where they still have access to a seasoned KCAD professor to help guide their work.
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KCAD worked with Mackinac Technology to secure a $40,000 grant through the Michigan Corporate Relations Network Small Company Innovation/Technology and Commercialization Assistance program. Sponsored by the University of Michigan, the program allows small companies to partner with universities to conduct product development research.
— John Slagter, Mackinac Technology Founder
During the first semester, students conducted interviews with a wide variety of professionals to determine what potential users would want from a heatrepellant window covering, as well as how it should function. The second semester focused on producing a salable product based on the market research, which included one variation that could be integrated into window shading while still allowing the window to open. “Essentially, we’re creating the system that will end up being someone’s product in the end, which I think is pretty awesome,” says Collaborative Design student Jordan Johnson-Verburg. “KCAD has worked hard to make this experience more of a studio atmosphere rather than a classroom.” KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
“Experiencing how art and design interact with technology, science, engineering, and business is eye-opening. I think at one point in time everyone at KCAD has been asked, ‘You’re going to art school? What are you going to do with that?’ People don’t always see where creativity fits in, but it’s everywhere,” says Mackenzie Tucker, a junior studying Collaborative Design with a Graphic Design minor. “In this collaboration, you get more than a grade; you gain validation and a real sense of accountability.”
If you don’t design a product that people want to buy, you’ve got nothing, no matter how good the technology is. ”
“Mackinac Technology is a customer to our students, and because it’s a startup, that’s where things are really different,” says Assistant Professor and Industrial Design Program Chair Jon Moroney, who leads the collaboration from the KCAD side. “It feels more like the students are the internal design team for the company.”
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Students also designed a show booth and marketing materials for Mackinac Technology to take to the annual Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy Summit, a key energy industry event that could lead to more funding for the company. In every instance, the students were pushed to collaborate with professionals, especially those working outside of their own disciplines; explain key decisions to the client; and meet strict deadlines.
For John Slagter, who founded Mackinac Technology in 2009, working with KCAD allows his company access to design expertise that he couldn’t find elsewhere, especially on a startup’s budget. “If you don’t design a product that people want to buy, you’ve got nothing, no matter how good the technology is,” Slagter says. “I work with PhDs and scientists who are very technical people—they see graphs, charts, and data.” That’s where Moroney and the students come in: helping Slagter and his company position their product through the design process. “Collaborating with KCAD has helped us understand what customers want and how they would potentially interact with our product so that we can design and prototype solutions,” Slagter says. “It gives us an angle that we didn’t have before.”
Pathways: KCAD’s New Model for General Education The surrealism of Salvador Dalí owes much to his study of Freudian psychology. The novels and comics of Neil Gaiman reflect his intense interest in mythology. And fashion designer Iris van Herpen incorporates ideas from fields as varied as philosophy, classical ballet, and particle physics. By Adam Schuitema Our creative thoughts and expressions don’t simply materialize from thin air. They’re born from personal experience, for sure. And studying the work of experts in our specific field is a must. But as we consider the great artists and designers— of both today and the past—we find countless examples of individuals drawing inspiration from a deep well of knowledge: in anthropology, religion, sociology, and literature. And we see them responding—whether directly or implicitly—to the wider world around them: to politics, the environment, the media, and pop culture. At KCAD, our General Education program aims to spark curiosity and stimulate creativity, all with the understanding that knowledge gleaned from various fields provides fertile ground for innovative thought. And in the approaching academic year, we’re rolling out a new curriculum, one designed to spark students’ curiosity and stimulate their critical and creative thought. The curriculum is called Pathways. Beginning this fall, all new KCAD students will embark on the Pathways model of general education. It provides three distinct benefits for students: 1. A broad base of common knowledge 2. A deeper dive into one area of study 3. Choice It works like this: First, students earn 15 credits with the following five courses: Writing, Intro to Narrative Studies, Intro to Cultural Studies, Intro to Philosophy, and a science or math elective. After gaining exposure to this wide spectrum of knowledge, each student then chooses one of the following pathways: • Narrative Studies • Cultural Studies • Philosophical Studies Within their pathway, students take up to four courses (12 credits) related to their area of choice. Those who choose Narrative Studies, for example, might further explore subjects like literature, creative writing, and film. Those in Cultural Studies might pursue psychology, religion, and gender studies. The experience culminates in a 3-credit capstone experience for which each student, in conjunction with a professor, develops a distinct project that builds on what that student has learned thus far.
Graphic Design Professor Angela Dow notes a similar effect on her design students, explaining that the Graphic Design program wants its graduates to be equal parts thinkers and creators. Professor Dow helped develop the Pathways curriculum and recognizes the critical role it plays, even within the studio courses. “The practice of graphic design is centered on communication and storytelling, fueled by a deep understanding of people and culture and the level of inquiry it takes to solve complex problems and be resourceful in an industry and world that are constantly evolving. General education is the foundation of these competencies, and without that foundation, a graphic design student would be working with a limited toolbox.”
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Studying liberal arts and sciences in conjunction with studio arts teaches students to understand art from a global perspective and how visual communication can effect change.”
— Leah Gose, KCAD professor
Put simply, the Pathways model of general education provides structure, choice, and opportunity. It encourages students to pursue passions from outside of their particular disciplines that will no doubt provide further insight, perspective, and inspiration for that same work.
Because many KCAD students transfer general education credits from other institutions, the college strives to transfer in as many of those credits as possible while still helping these students reap the benefits of KCAD’s unique Pathways experience.
Photography Assistant Professor Leah Gose sees direct benefits of a well-rounded education on her student artists. “Studying liberal arts and sciences in conjunction with studio arts teaches students to understand art from a global perspective and how visual communication can effect change. It’s the difference between making and creating.”
The college and its faculty are excited for new students to experience Pathways and chart new, creative paths forward. Visit kcad.edu/programs/undergraduate/general-education to learn more about Pathways at KCAD. KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
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“Tux” Scott Hoyle, alumnus (‘74, BFA Illustration) For Scott Hoyle, “retirement” after 35 years as a successful illustrator/graphic designer consisted of reinventing himself as a fine artist and photographer. He now travels the globe with camera, paints, and pencils in tow, soaking up new ideas, places, and people and infusing his experiences into award-winning work. In just five years of practicing photography, Hoyle has garnered over 40 awards, including 1st Place in the 2012 International Conservation Photography Awards, and has been featured in over 30 exhibitions in the U.S. and Canada. See more of Scott Hoyle’s work at scotthoyle.com.
MArch alumna Anne Doornbos, project coordinator with TowerPinkster
MArch alumnus Daniel Montgomery, intern architect with Bergmann Associates
Architects of the Future Last spring, five KCAD students were the first to receive degrees from the college’s new Master of Architecture (MArch) program. Now, a year later, those graduates have established themselves professionally as key members of creative teams, working on a wide variety of projects and adding considerable value to the region. By Kyle Moroney From a rural West Michigan elementary school where young children learn the fundamentals to a new energetic entertainment venue that hosts major live events in downtown Grand Rapids to a forward-thinking power plant recently built on the lakeshore, the scope of work KCAD’s MArch graduates have contributed is impressive and continues to showcase the program’s strengths. “KCAD is a design playground where creativity just flows out of everyone,” says Courtney Vallier, now a graduate architect at Progressive AE. Her work includes schematic design integration and construction document phases, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification projects, and the design and engineering process for Cornerstone University’s College of Science building, Holland’s Energy Park, and Central Wesleyan Church in Zeeland. “Being in that environment brought constant innovation and pushed the boundaries in evaluating and ideating new solutions to enhance people’s lives through the architectural fabric,” Vallier adds. Fellow graduate Alicia Miller, a project coordinator at Concept Design, has come full circle—from contributing to the design of Grand Rapids’ newest concert venue, 20 Monroe Live, to having attended two events there since it opened in February 2017.
Following graduation last spring, Geena Pickering began bringing new design elements to downtown Ada and Dewitt with residential apartments and an orthodontist office as part of her work at Dixon Architecture. In December 2016, Pickering landed a job as an interior designer at DBI, a business interiors company in Lansing recognized for furnishing Michigan State University buildings as well as state government buildings throughout central Michigan. Pickering’s interior design electives at KCAD gave her a glimpse of the industry in which she now works. She oversees business interiors projects through various phases from beginning to completion. “It’s been a good change. I’ve always had an interest in interior design,” Pickering says. “The two jobs are somewhat similar from a project management position. Having an architecture background and perspective has been helpful in my current role.” “I’m thrilled to see our first cohort of MArch graduates not only succeeding professionally, but doing so across a broad range of projects and practices,” says Interim Dean of the College Ron Riksen.
“It was awesome, especially seeing something so public and seeing people react and interact with the space,” she says of 20 Monroe Live. “KCAD’s MArch program is unique because you’re right downtown. Grand Rapids is quickly developing, and we have the opportunity to be in the middle of it all.”
MArch Program Director Brian Craig adds, “These graduates are proof of the fact that, by engaging our students in a deep exploration of place-based architecture that dissolves boundaries between bodies of knowledge, we’re preparing them to be versatile and innovative architects who can work across disciplines, collaborate with others, and envision elegant and impactful solutions to design challenges on any scale.”
Another graduate from the inaugural cohort, Daniel Montgomery, worked as an architectural designer at AEcom before taking a position with Bergmann Associates this past May. His résumé includes work in the Chicago area, as well as local retail development, residential developments, and healthcare space renovations and additions.
The second MArch cohort, which graduated in May, includes two members who earned BFA degrees from KCAD prior to enrolling in the program: Jenn Hicks (’07, Interior Design) and Courtney Wierzbicki (’14, Interior Design).
MArch graduate Anne Doornbos has wanted to be in architecture since the sixth grade. After graduating from KCAD, she is living her design dream as a project coordinator in TowerPinkster’s architectural department. Doornbos is currently renovating a Newaygo Public Schools elementary building, which includes 58,000 square feet of new construction and 30,000 square feet of renovations.
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“KCAD’s immersive environment of art and design is an incredible asset for the MArch program,” says KCAD President Leslie Bellavance. “For MArch students, it creates opportunities for intersecting with other disciplines that broaden their perspective. For undergraduate students, it positions the MArch program as an exciting pathway for them to continue their education and discover a whole new world of career possibilities.”
A Life Ingrained: KCAD Remembers Furniture Design Professor Bruce Mulder Though soft-spoken and humble, Bruce Mulder was a giant of a man. His passing, after 40 years of teaching in the Furniture Design program at KCAD, amplifies the extraordinary impact he had on the institution he poured his heart and soul into shaping for the better. By Kyle Austin
“Bruce meant more to KCAD and the Furniture Design program than words could ever describe,” says Associate Professor and Furniture Design Program Chair Gayle DeBruyn. “He taught us how to honor the work of the school and the deep roots of its history by keeping that work moving forward and not getting stuck in our ways.” President Leslie Bellavance adds, “Bruce was everything a great teacher Bruce Mulder should be: passionate, wise, patient, and wholly dedicated to his work and his students. He was a source of strength and inspiration for the entire KCAD community, and he will be dearly missed.” Ever the forward thinker, Mulder evolved his teaching through constant conversations with his professional design practice. Before he began teaching at KCAD in the late 1970s, he’d already spent 13 years working for his father’s furniture company, Lubberts and Mulder, Inc. In 1982, he cofounded Robert Bruce Design alongside his brother, and continued designing for leading furniture manufacturers while preparing KCAD students to adapt to shifting industry realities. Furniture Design Assistant Professor Monty Simpson, who initially studied under Mulder as a KCAD student before becoming his colleague, says Mulder was a master detailer whose phenomenal drafting and drawing skills were known throughout the industry.
“Bruce is responsible for how much I love my job now,” she says. “He showed me how passion and success could exist together.” As a teacher, Mulder had a rare gift for getting students to think critically about their work without making them feel criticized. “Bruce was not a hand-holder; he treated us like professionals. He always told us that the moment we stopped learning, we’d lose our competitive edge,” says 1989 Furniture Design graduate Shaun Sweeney, a third-generation furniture designer who’s now the vice president of design for outdoor furniture firm Pacific Casual. “At the same time, he was very warm, one of those people you hit it off with immediately.” Motivating students to reach their fullest potential was never a onesize-fits-all solution for Mulder. Instead, he endeavored to understand each student’s individual capabilities and needs, and tailored his approach accordingly. “Students are called to be designers from many different perspectives,” DeBruyn says. “Bruce had an uncanny ability to uncover opportunities for every student to succeed, no matter what challenges they were facing.”
“
Bruce was everything a great teacher should be: passionate, wise, patient, and wholly dedicated to his work and his students.”
“Students and faculty respected him because he knew what he was doing, and he knew how to translate that to teaching,” she says.
— Leslie Bellavance, President, KCAD
Mulder also stayed plugged in to the profession through his involvement in the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) and his biannual trips to North Carolina for High Point Market, the nation’s preeminent furniture industry trade show. There, he would make new network connections and nurture old ones, especially with KCAD alumni. These connections would frequently result in alumni and their companies working with current KCAD students on collaborative, real-world projects. “Bruce was universally loved and respected in the industry,” says 2013 Furniture Design graduate Liz Moore. “His dedication to networking and his passion for furniture design were contagious.” Moore, a third-generation furniture designer whose grandfather and father have headed prominent design firm Otto & Moore for decades, grew up in the industry and now works alongside her father. However, she says she never fully embraced her career path until studying under Mulder.
In the same way he viewed students as individuals, Mulder saw each new academic year at KCAD as a unique challenge. Simpson remembers countless summers spent devising actionable steps to improve the program in the coming year. “‘How do we engage our students, and how do we create a sense of community?’ That was what we were always asking each other,” she says. With Mulder gone, that community has lost a member it can never fully replace. His influence and his inextinguishable spirit, however, remain. “While future students won’t get to experience his presence, I think the program will continue to live up to Bruce’s expectations,” says Moore. “The program needs passion, and that’s ingrained in everyone involved in it because of him.” KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
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ALUMNI Q & A
The Drive Is in the Details After Laura Niece (’03, BFA Furniture Design) graduated from KCAD, it didn’t take her long to transition from Grand Rapids to another furniture industry hotbed in High Point, N.C. In the 13 years since, she’s become an integral part of independent design firm Otto & Moore, helping power its pursuit of diverse clientele and innovative design while picking up a handful of Pinnacle Awards from the American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) along the way. By Kyle Austin Q: What first sparked your interest in furniture design? A: Growing up, my parents would take me to antique stores a lot. My eyes would always be drawn to the furniture, especially noticing the finer details. I’ve always been a very detail-oriented person, so the intersection of aesthetics and functionality in furniture really captured my attention. I was definitely the kid who drew a lot in school, but as I got closer to choosing a college, I knew I wanted to channel my creativity into something more technical and defined. Q: You enrolled in the Furniture Design program at a time when digital tools like AutoCAD were becoming more prevalent. How did that shape your educational experience? A: When I enrolled, we were learning digital tools, but the emphasis was still on drawing by hand. Looking back, I’m very grateful for that. My professors were also skilled professionals with deep industry experience. They showed me the value of understanding the history and craft behind traditional furniture design and how that informs all future design work. Drawing by hand enabled me to see furniture design as a craft defined by the physical connection to the end result, and that’s something that’s always stayed with me. Even though digital tools drive furniture design now, that foundation in traditional processes still informs everything I do as a designer.
Top to bottom: Soho Luxe Three-Tiered Tall Chest designed by Laura Niece (image courtesy of Bernhardt Furniture). Laura Niece (credit: Kristen M. Bryant). Aiden Acrylic Bed designed by Laura Niece, winner of 2016 ASFD Pinnacle Award (image courtesy of Bernhardt Furniture).
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Q: What was your experience transitioning from school into the field? A: While in school, I was fortunate enough to have a few internships that gave me valuable experience and really helped hone my skills prior to starting at Otto & Moore. As a student, there’s only so much you can know about what your career will be like. You just have to get in there and experience it for yourself, so learning on the fly is inevitable. For instance, you start working with clients and you see how uniquely specific their needs can be. Also, by the time I got established in the field, everything was being done on computers, so while I did get a taste of AutoCAD in my senior year, I really had to learn it on the job. Q: How have you seen the industry evolve since then, and how have you evolved alongside it? A: I entered the industry during the recession. It was an unsure time—consumers were hesitant, and the market wasn’t very clear, so companies were being safe with their designs and weren’t willing to take many risks. Thankfully, that has changed over the years.
Now, with all the DIY and design resources available online, people are more informed than ever and feel empowered to change their style more frequently than in the past. As a designer or a manufacturer, you have to be aware of that and constantly educate yourself on what is trending in the market. There’s also a lot of competition, so you need to be not only consciously creative, but innovative as well. I am constantly inspired. Being mindful of the past is critical, but looking both at the contemporary landscape and into the future is equally important. As a detail-oriented person, I find my favorite part of my job is research. You can draw inspiration from anything—the old masters, current trends, or even other industries. Q: What’s motivated you to stay with Otto & Moore as long as you have? A: The owner, Dudley Moore Jr., is a leader who puts a lot of faith and trust in his employees. He constantly challenges the company to design better and smarter and build client relationships that allow our creativity to come to the forefront. I’ve been able to help push the firm to branch out and expand our client base in ways that help us improve. The great thing about working for an independent firm is that each client is different. The designs and styles are constantly changing, so the work never feels stale and is always rewarding. I have enjoyed the pace and constant challenge; it helps me grow. Q: Speaking of growth, you’ve been growing your reputation, winning three ASFD Pinnacle Awards in the past two years. What does that recognition mean to you? A: Typically, our clients are the only ones aware of our contributions, so it’s an honor—for our clients and for me—to be personally recognized among my peers for both individual and collaborative achievements. The ASFD is a great organization to be involved in. Along with the Pinnacle Awards and networking opportunities, it also strengthens the future of our industry by facilitating a number of scholarships and design competitions for students. Q: What’s next in the pipeline for you and Otto & Moore? A: We’re always looking for new projects and clients. No matter who we’re working with, we want to continue pushing forward and growing creatively.
NEWS & NOTES
Have something to share? To submit articles, photos, or news for future issues or for the website, please contact kcadnews@ferris.edu.
CAMPUS
STUDENT
KCAD welcomed 410 guests for the annual All College Open House, including 82 students from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Vietnam who competed in the annual Art Day Competition.
ART EDUCATION Maggie Livengood received the National Preservice Art Educator Award from the National Art Education Association (NAEA).
The Fed Galleries @ KCAD held three new exhibitions featuring powerful work from nationally and internationally acclaimed artists: Left Behind | Work by Jennifer Loeber, The Shape of Self | Work by Riva Lehrer, and Sentimental Ornamentation. The Fed Galleries also hosted mourning jewelry workshops with artist Renee Zettle-Sterling, and hosted Zettle-Sterling for an artist talk that included a performance by artist Yuni Kim Lang. Both artists were featured in Sentimental Ornamentation. KCAD collaborated with Grand Valley State University’s Bonnie Wesorick Center for Health Care Transformation on Art & Healing, an exhibition of work from nationally Ted Meyer recognized artist and patient advocate Ted Meyer, as well as similarly themed work from KCAD students Beibei Chen, Leilei Chen, Taylor Graham, and Loni Platte.
DIGITAL ART AND DESIGN Ashley Kalin, Kelsey Kamrowski, Wade Leppien, Matthew McDaniel, and Tys Yoder won the Best Director award in the 2017 Grand Rapids Film Festival 36-Hour Challenge. Assistant Professor Susan Bonner and students Jerry Butler, Tarah Condell, Danielle Daniels, Alana Fletcher, Lauren Haacke, Joseph Jinn, Arthur Muzzin, Nicole Slater, Micki Taylor, and Austin Whitbeck collaborated with Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Underbite Games on the development and commercial release of mobile game Super Dungeon Tactics. Alumni and Underbite employees Jacob Becker (’16, BFA) and Gabrielle Schwall (’16, BFA) also contributed. Tammy Tran helped organize an exhibition of work from entrants in the Laughfest 2017 Student Art Competition at the Grand Rapids Downtown Market. DRAWING
KCAD’s student fashion alliance Bodies of Art held its 13th annual fashion show, Remnant, at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM). Fifteen students from various majors showcased over 70 original garment designs based on different fashion eras. A portion of the event proceeds were donated to help fund GRAM summer art camp scholarships.
Work by 2017 Drawing graduate Angela Two Stars
Angela Two Stars was selected by the city of Minneapolis for a massive public art project celebrating the history and culture of the Dakota Native American people.
Students in front of the mural they helped create at Gerald R. Ford International Airport
KCAD collaborated with the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to create a world map mural inside the airport. The mural was designed by students Samantha Hamilton (Digital Media), Josh Solas (Illustration), and Anna VanderLoon (Fashion Studies) with support from students Gustavo Bastidas (Graphic Design), Leilei Chen (MFA), Jackie Karevich (Graphic Design), Annie Smith (Photography), and Huaming Wang (Drawing), as well as alumna Kaitlyn Spillane (’16, BFA Graphic Design) and the following faculty/staff: Dean of Student Success Sandy Britton, Professor and Photography Program Chair Adam DeKraker, Director of Student Engagement Nicole DeKraker, Photography Assistant Professor Leah Gose, Supervisor of Shops Mark Mulder, Joe Gust of KCAD Facilities, Financial Aid Specialist Kara Peltier, Graduate Recruitment Specialist Tom Post, and Assistant Preparator and alumnus Steven Vinson (’11, MFA).
FASHION STUDIES Students in the Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion presented their most captivating original designs at the program’s annual fashion show and senior capstone presentation, Nocturne. Fashion Studies students also teamed up with the Grand Rapids Film Festival (GRFF) to stage the Fashion & Music for Film Showcase in downtown Grand Rapids. FURNITURE DESIGN Hong Hu, Matthew Johnson (Industrial Design, Furniture Design minor), and Eric Schroeder were named finalists in the 2017 Bienenstock Furniture Library Design Competition. Kate Hyman was awarded the prestigious Celia Moh Scholarship from the Celia Moh Scholarship Foundation. GRAPHIC DESIGN The Ada Arts Council and the Ada Business Association connected 27 students with 13 local businesses for a spring-themed window design competition. First place
went to Daniel Alcantara and Harrison Eiferle for their design at the Ada Conservatory of Music. Second place went to Gabrielle Podkul and Seiarra Schrum for their design at A Fine Touch Day Spa. Third place went to Brittany Bates, Andrew Biggs, and Phoebe Forton for their design at Alkalign Studios. Graphic Design students won 53 out of a possible 62 awards in the student category in the 2017 American Advertising Federation of West Michigan ADDY Awards. Madison Bracken took home the Student Best in Show award, while Colleen Bruce and Laura Meekhof each took home a Judges’ Choice award. Other winners include Breanne Buckbee, Ricky Choulramountry, Hannah Dowell, Micaela Elderkin, Kacie Forbes, Jonaca Lynn Hudson, Jackie Karevich, Brad Kautz, Samantha Kniat, Nhat Truong Lam, Jessica Leng, Hayley Lerg, Olivia Mizner, Mary Nowels, Sydney Olenik, Delena Perez, Veronica Peterson, Rebecca Rapin, Amy Schafer, Jenna Simmons, Alexandra Smith, Brad Stone, Zac Sturgeon, Sakino Tomiura, Jessica Waite, Koko Watanabe, Miao Zhang, and Alyssa Zick. Madison Bracken and Laura Meekhof each won gold awards at the national level of the 2017 American Advertising Awards. Before advancing to the national level, Bracken and Meekhof each won gold awards at the district Covers of Laura Meekhof’s level of the competition. Zac publication “ABC Book of Sturgeon and Sakino Tomiura Designers’ Confessions” won silver awards at the district level. ILLUSTRATION Illustration Assistant Professor Nancy Hart and Medical Illustration Professor Matthew Schenk and students Morgan Dennison, Stephanie DeVoursney, Irah Dhaseleer, Michelle Facer, Sonia Griffin, Jackie Karevich, Rayne Karfonta, Rachel Kline, Bryan Kosciolek, Olivia McKay, Ali Minatel, Annie Murphy, Alyssa Newman, Paige Precour, and Dayna Walton were featured in an exhibition of natural science illustrations at the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute for Environmental Education in Hastings, Mich. Ethan Hoogterp had his painting “Through the Window Pane” selected for display in Battle Creek City Hall in Battle Creek, Mich. Dayna Walton was named the recipient of the 2016 Gordon Art Fellowship from the Pine Cedar Creek Institute for Environmental Education in Hastings, Mich. INDUSTRIAL DESIGN Jared Seifert worked with Grand Valley State University students Jordan Vanderham and Zoe Bruyn to develop the Orindi Mask, a cold endurance mask for industrial workers that Vanderham invented. INTERIOR DESIGN Kelsey Ballast Pasma and Ashley Newton won first and second place, respectively, in the 2017 International Interior Design Association Michigan chapter’s Dr. Virginia North Student Competition.
KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
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NEWS & NOTES
Have something to share? To submit articles, photos, or news for future issues or for the website, please contact kcadnews@ferris.edu.
STUDENT (CON’T)
SCULPTURE AND FUNCTIONAL ART Skylar Sparks won a class competition in which student proposals for a sculptural installation in KCAD’s Sculpture Garden were juried by staff from The Fed Galleries @ KCAD.
Elise Boersema, Elizabeth Heinz, Molly Kalep, Amanda Klauer, Betsy Kort, Ashley Newton, and Anastasia Wilder worked with Grand Rapids, Mich., nonprofit Dwelling Place to redesign a communal meeting space in the organization’s Ferguson Apartments.
FACULTY & STAFF
Rachel Fodell, Madison Gentry, Molly Kalep, Jenny Kang, and Ashley Newton won both Best Craftsmanship and Best of Show in the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Michigan chapter’s 2016 Finish2Fashion event, in which teams create original garments using only interior finish materials.
Curator of Exhibitions and alumna Michele Bosak (’04, BFA Sculpture and Functional Art), Drawing Professor Deborah Rockman, and Sculpture and Functional Art Assistant Professor Natalie Wetzel were all featured on a list of top artists in Grand Rapids that was published by cultured.GR.
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE Kim Buchholz was awarded a KCAD-funded scholarship to attend a summer 2017 session at the Golden Apple Art Residency in Maine.
Faculty Karen Carter (Associate Professor, Art History/Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies), Dr. Susanna Kelly Engbers (Professor, General Education), Lori Faulkner (Assistant Professor/Program Chair, Fashion Studies), Leah Gose (Assistant Professor, Photography), Darlene Kaczmarczyk (Professor Emeritus), Tara McCrackin (Assistant Professor, Interior Design), Deborah Rockman (Professor, Drawing/ MFA), Adam Schuitema (Professor/Program Chair, General Education), Natalie Wetzel (Assistant Professor, Sculpture and Functional Art), Danielle Wyckoff (Assistant Professor, Drawing), Brad Yarhouse (Assistant Professor/Program Chair, Digital Media), and Diane Zeeuw (Professor/ Program Chair, Painting/Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies), and staff members Michael Hetu (Admissions Counselor) and Brenda Sipe (Director of Continuing Studies) were all honored during Ferris State University’s 2017 Author Celebration Event.
MASTER OF FINE ARTS Emily Cobb was honored during Ferris State University’s 2017 Author Celebration Event. Amber Bledsoe and Emily Cobb were awarded scholarships to attend summer 2017 sessions at the Golden Apple Art Residency in Maine. Bledsoe’s scholarship was funded by KCAD while Cobb’s scholarship was partially funded by Golden Apple Art Residency founders Shelley and Greg Stevens.
“Malignant Landscape” by Beibei Chen
Beibei Chen won the 2017 MFA Graduate Award from the Ferris State University Fine Art Gallery with her piece “Malignant Landscape.” Chakila Hoskins won second place in the annual Celebration of the Arts Exhibition organized by First United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. METALS AND JEWELRY DESIGN Lauren Gravelyn and Ainslie Macmaster were featured alongside Professor and Allesee Metals and Jewelry Design Program Chair Phil Renato in the March 2017 issue of Jewelry Artist magazine. PHOTOGRAPHY Steven Miner was featured by Ain’t-Bad, an independent online publisher of new photographic art.
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KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
The book that Art History and Master of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies Associate Professor Karen Carter co-edited with Susan Waller, “Foreign Artists and Communities in Modern Paris, 1870–1914: Strangers in Paradise” Cover of “Foreign Artists (Burlington, and Communities in Modern VT: Ashgate Paris, 1870-1914: Strangers in Paradise” Publishing, 2015), was positively reviewed in Art Bulletin, Art History, French Studies, H-France Reviews, Nineteenth-Century Art Worldwide, and Nineteenth-Century French Studies. Carter was also awarded a Timme Travel Grant through Ferris State University to attend the 2017 College Art Association conference in New York; had her review of the Walker Art Center exhibition Hippie Modernism: The Struggle for Utopia published in Design and Culture v. 9, no. 1; presented her paper “Paris, Capital of NineteenthCentury Lithography: The Centenaire de la Lithographie Exhibition within a Colonial Economy” at the 2016 Nineteenth-Century French Studies Colloquium at Brown University; presented her
paper “Confronting Racial and Sexist Stereotypes in Design History” at the 2016 SECAC Conference in Roanoke, Va.; served as a consulting editor for Adam Mathew Digital, LTD, for the “Trade Catalogues and the American Home” database of historical primary sources; and was named the field editor of design history for the College Art Association online publication caa.reviews. Master of Architecture Director Brian Craig gave a talk titled “Design Opportunities—Exploring Wood” at the Michigan Forest Bioeconomy Conference in Grand Rapids. Associate Professor and Chair of the Collaborative and Furniture Design programs Gayle DeBruyn traveled to Yogyakarta, Indonesia, to take part in the 10th Global United Nations Regional Centres of Expertise on Education for Sustainable Development Conference. Graphic Design Professor Angela Dow and General Education Professor Dr. Susanna Kelly Engbers gave a presentation titled “Narrative Theory: A Bridge Between Two Departmental Islands” at the College English Association Annual Conference in Hilton Head, S.C. Art History Professor Dr. Suzanne Eberle gave a presentation titled “Silence and Absence in Contemporary Art” at the Annual Humanities Symposium at Vanier College in Montreal, Quebec; gave a talk titled “Shocking, Surprising, and Subtle: You Call That Art?” at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Mich.; gave a lecture titled “The Fashion of Public Grief: Victorian Mourning Clothes and Practices” in The Fed Galleries @ KCAD; was a featured speaker at the Costume Society of America’s Midwest Region Annual Symposium, where she gave a presentation titled “Contemporary Artists and the Power of Fashion and Sartorial Symbols”; presented a paper titled “Studying Art History: Articulating Humanity” at the School of Visual Arts’ 30th Annual National Conference on Liberal Arts and the Education of Artists in New York City; and gave a lecture at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) on Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen titled “Iris van Herpen: Inspired by History, Borrowing from the Past.” Dr. Eberle also presented a training session for GRAM docents in which she placed some of the museum’s newest acquisitions, including several by Ellsworth Kelly, in a historical context. General Education Professor Dr. Susanna Kelly Engbers presented her paper “Quilts, Quilt-making, and the Cultivation of Voice in the Women’s Christian Temperance Union” at the 2017 Conference on College Composition and Communication Annual Convention in Portland, Ore. Associate Professor and Drawing Program Chair Stephen Halko had his large charcoal drawing “Impact” featured in Dream or Nightmare, a national juried exhibition at Michigan State University’s (SCENE) Metrospace gallery. Design West Michigan Executive Director Ken Krayer was featured in Cranbrook Time Machine: TwentiethCentury Period Rooms, an exhibition examining key
moments in the history of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Krayer earned his MFA from Cranbrook in 1988. Krayer also gave a lecture at the Grand Rapids Art Museum titled “Dutch Design: Culture in Context” in conjunction with the Iris van Herpen: Transforming Fashion exhibition.
Art History Survey to Art & Design Students”; and was appointed to the CAA’s Education Committee through 2019. Professor and Allesee Metals and Jewelry Design Program Chair Phil Renato was featured in the international juried exhibition IMAGINE PEACE NOW at the Boston Society for Arts and Crafts. Drawing Professor Deborah Rockman won the Helen Sheridan Memorial Grand Prize in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2017 West Michigan Area Show. Professor and General Education Program Chair Dr. Adam Schuitema released his short story collection “The Things We Do That Make No Sense” through Switchgrass Books. Furniture Design Assistant Professor Monty Simpson and program alumni John Black (NG), Steve Hodges (’75, BFA), Tim O’Hare (’84, BFA), Rick Schroeder (’75, BFA), and Mark Tucker (’00, BFA) were named to an American Society of Furniture Designers volunteer mentor team linking students and industry newcomers to industry veterans.
“Taylor!” by Taylor Mazer
Adjunct instructor Ryan Lafferty gave a talk titled “Living In The And: How Business and Design Can Work Together To Create Magic” at a TEDx event held at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich. Adjunct instructor and alumnus Taylor Mazer (’12, BFA Illustration) was selected to appear in the 46th issue of the international art and design journal Creative Quarterly. Mazer was also one of two entrants to receive the Ward H. and Cora E. Nay Director’s Purchase Prize in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2017 West Michigan Area Show. Assistant Professor and Interior Design Program Chair Tara McCrackin was featured on the blog of West Michigan-based interior design firm Custer for her role as president-elect of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Michigan Chapter. Master of Architecture Assistant Professor Michael McCulloch was a featured speaker at The Road to Rebellion Series: Understanding 1967 Detroit, an event exploring the legacy of segregated housing in Detroit. Illustration Professor Jon McDonald held a solo exhibition titled People, Places, and Things at the Frauenthal Center in Muskegon, Mich. Professor and Art History Program Chair Anne Norcross served as a discipline peer reviewer on the Art History Committee of the Fulbright Scholar Program; served as a juror for the College Art Association (CAA) 2017 Professional Development Fellowships program; was awarded a Timme Travel Grant from Ferris State University to attend the 2017 CAA Annual Conference in New York City, where she presented her paper “Teaching the
Chelsea Benson (’13, BFA Graphic Design) and Alicia Lyon (’13, BFA Graphic Design) were two of 16 designers invited to take part in the Adobe Creative Jam event in Detroit. Christopher Bruce (’10, BFA Art Education) was named director of the Grand Rapids Art Museum’s new Learning and Creativity department. Michael Clark (’06, BFA Painting), now an artist working in Estes Park, Colo., organized a “paint out” that challenged artists from around the country to create works of art reflecting the natural splendor of the Rocky Mountain National Park area. Yvette Cummings (’00, BFA Painting) was announced as the winner of the 2016 701 CCA Prize by the 701 Center for Contemporary Art (701 CCA) in Columbia, S.C. Dustin Farnsworth (’10, BFA Sculpture and Functional Art) was profiled by popular art blog Hi-Fructose in a piece exploring his latest work and the evolution of his artistic process.
Art Education Professor Donna St. John won first place in the annual Celebration of the Arts Exhibition organized by First United Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., and held a solo exhibition at Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA), Tributes of Authentic Heroism: Investigation of Grace, Vision, Clarity & Purpose. St. John and Professor and Art History Program Chair Anne Norcross also collaborated to facilitate an opportunity for St. John to share her expertise on brain function and cognitive development with students at Eaton Rapids High School in Eaton Rapids, Mich.
Daniel Finks (’08, BFA Furniture Design) designed two new high-end bath vanity collections for James Martin Furniture that debuted at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show in Orlando, Fla.
Painting Professor Margaret Vega had her oil monotype “Head of a Boy” purchased by the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) for inclusion in its permanent collection, as well as in the exhibition Prints and Processes.
Michele Gort (’00, BFA Interior Design) had her piece “Playful Time” chosen as the poster for the 2017 Tulip Time Festival in Holland, Mich.
Professor and Printmaking Program Chair Mariel Versluis gave an artist talk and held a solo exhibition at the University of Wyoming through its Inky Paper Residency Program. Sculpture and Functional Art Assistant Professor Natalie Wetzel released the trailer for her new art film “ORB WOMB” on the website of UK-based Tribe Magazine.
ALUMNI Eana Agopian (’16, MFA) won the Ninth Wave Studio Award for Ingenuity in Mixed Media or Intermedia in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2017 West Michigan Area Show with her piece “Meiosis.” Eana Agopian (’16, MFA) and Taylor Overbey (’12, BFA Digital Media; ’15, MFA) were honored during Ferris State University’s 2017 Author Celebration Event. Alumni Kelly Allen (’08, MFA) and Shelley Klein (’94, BFA Painting) were featured on a list of top artists in Grand Rapids that was published by cultured.GR.
Cindi Ford (’06, MFA) won third place in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2017 West Michigan Area Show with her piece “Vulnerable VII.” Ivan Fortushniak (’98, BFA Painting) served as the juror for the 2017 Spring Juried Exhibition of Allied Artists of Johnstown in Johnstown, Pa.
Miranda Graham (’13, MFA) and Aneka Ingold (’14, MFA) were featured in the latest issue of the magazine Poets/Artists for their inclusion in Chévere, an exhibition presented by Sirona Fine Art held at Art Basel Miami. Hannah Grohman (’16, BFA Art Education) opened Lions & Rabbits, a new retail and gallery space in Grand Rapids, Mich. Sandra Hansen (’13, BFA Painting; ’16, MFA) held a solo exhibition and was appointed to an artist residency at the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center in Forest Hills, Mich., and gave a presentation on ecologically focused artwork at Hope College in Holland, Mich. Nathan Heuer (’06, BFA Illustration; ’08, MFA) was named chair of the Art Department at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Rob Jackson (’89, BFA Illustration), principal and creative director of the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based ad agency Extra Credit Projects, and his colleagues took home nine awards in the professional category of the 2017 American Advertising Federation of West Michigan ADDY Awards, the most awards of any entering firm.
KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
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NEWS & NOTES
Have something to share? To submit articles, photos, or news for future issues or for the website, please contact kcadnews@ferris.edu.
ALUMNI (CON’T)
Verlie Murphy (’93, BFA Printmaking) was named the Artist of the Month at Tyron Arts and Crafts School in Tyron, N.C. Tammy Myers (’07, BFA Graphic Design) won a Judges’ Choice Award in the professional category and two gold ADDYs in the 2017 American Advertising Federation of West Michigan ADDY Awards for “Forgotten Fighters,” an ad campaign she developed independently that promotes breast cancer awareness.
Amy Johnson (‘14, BFA Graphic Design) was honored during Ferris State University’s 2017 Author Celebration Event. Jake Kupusta (’14, BFA Sculpture and Functional Art) was hired by Formlabs, a Somerville, Mass.based company that designs and manufactures desktop 3D printers. Kimberly Lavon (’08, BFA Printmaking) had her artwork and her gallery/workspace, Kimberly LaVon INK, featured in and on the cover of City Pulse, a weekly arts and entertainment guide focused on Lansing, Mich.
Laura Niece (’03, BFA Furniture Design), a senior designer with Otto & Moore Furniture Designers, was honored with two awards in the 2016 American Society of Furniture Designers (ASFD) Pinnacle Awards.
IN MEMORIAM The President’s Office has been notified of the passing of Trent Eekhoff, a 1997 graduate of the Industrial Design program.
Madison May (’16, BFA Printmaking) and Gina Masterson (’16, BFA Illustration) opened the multipurpose creative space Bend Gallery in the Avenue for the Arts neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Alyssa (Parsons) Menold (’13, BFA Illustration) was profiled by ImagineFX magazine for her work on the role-playing game Shadowrun; was included in the 23rd edition of Spectrum, an annual publication that spotlights the world’s best fantasy, science fiction, and horror artwork; and was hired as an artist by Georgia-based Wyrd Miniatures.
Caitlin Skelcey (’11, BFA Metals and Jewelry Design/BFA Painting) held her MFA thesis exhibition at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.
The President’s Office has been notified of the passing of Calvin Alley, a 1973 graduate of the Furniture Design program.
Deborah Mattson (’16, MFA) won the Southwest Michigan Printmakers Excellence in Printmaking Award in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 2017 West Michigan Area Show with her piece “Shingebiss: an Ojibwe Folktale.”
Lori McElrath-Eslick (’81, BFA Illustration) had a number of her “plein air” paintings displayed at Winery’s Gallery at Bonobo’s Winery in Traverse City, Mich.
Gypsy Schindler (‘01, BFA Fine Art) led White Lake, Mich.-area middle school and high school students in the creation of a mural in downtown Whitehall, Mich. Amy Shepard (’87, BFA Graphic Design) has been hired by Xibitz, a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based fabricator of custom experiential spaces, as director of creative services.
The President’s Office has been notified of the passing of Colin Kranz, a former student in the Graphic Design program. Inside Light Gallery + Studio
Aaron Porter (’17, BFA Collaborative Design) was hired by Google as a user experience (UX) designer. Matthew Provoast (’16, BFA Photography) and Erika Townsley (’16, BFA Photography) opened Light Gallery + Studio in the Avenue for the Arts neighborhood in Grand Rapids, Mich. Donna Rey-Taylor (NG), now an artist working out of Boyne City, Mich., was profiled in an article by the Petoskey News Review.
The President’s Office has been notified of the passing of Timothy Krystiniak, who attended the Illustration program in 1996. The President’s Office has been notified of the passing of alumnus Cullen Mandeville, who graduated in 1960 with an Advertising Design Certificate. The President’s Office has been notified of the passing of Furniture Design Professor Bruce Mulder, who touched the lives of many throughout the 40 years he spent teaching at KCAD. See p. 13 to read more about Bruce and his impact at KCAD.
GALLERY NEWS kcad.edu/galleries The Fed Galleries @ KCAD Admission free; open to the public. Hours: Tue: 11 a.m.–8 p.m., Wed–Thur: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Fri–Sat: Noon–4 p.m. ArtPrize Extended Hours (Sept. 20–Oct. 8): Mon: 5–8 p.m., Tues-Thur: 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Fri–Sat: Noon–8 p.m., Sun: Noon–6 p.m. On Display: Society of Spectacle | KCAD + ArtPrize Nine Aug. 29–Oct. 14, 2017 Society of Spectacle considers the artificial reality that we mirror and the authentic experiences we fail to define. Actively participate and set aside the artifice or add to the image bank—the choice is yours. Featured artists: Eva Rocha, Jonathan Brilliant, Liss LaFleur, John Naccarato, Le’Andra LeSeur, Zane Miller.
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KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
Coming soon:
Resort: Work by Andrew Ellis Johnson and Susanne Slavick Nov. 7, 2017–Jan. 31, 2018 Opening reception: Nov. 7, 2017, 5–7 p.m. Johnson and Slavick explore the social and political issues and injustices that continue to shape the way we treat asylum seekers. Though artwork alone won’t resolve our ongoing refugee crisis, it can spark a discourse about political and moral orders and act as an agency to awaken minds and combat idleness.
Knockoffs: Originality, Theft, and Everything in Between Nov. 7, 2017–Jan. 31, 2018 Opening reception: Nov. 7, 2017, 5–7 p.m. Knockoffs have the capacity to both inspire and limit creation—will they enable us to thrive in our copy-and-paste culture? This exhibition considers how the definition and history of “creating” has shifted over the centuries and also queries whether our experience of what we consider “authentic” has expanded.
Challenge to Create Impact
CONGRATS KCAD 2016–17 SCHOLARS
I hope you enjoyed this issue of Portfolio magazine and the stories featured. Through this publication, the college is able to share and celebrate the accomplishments of KCAD students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the generosity of its donor community.
KCAD and its Scholarship Committee extend congratulations to the students who received a KCAD endowed or annual scholarship during the 2016–17 academic year. Special thanks to the donors who have made and continue to make these scholarship opportunities available for KCAD students.
Donors are crucial to the continued success of KCAD, its students, and its alumni. Oftentimes, scholarship availability can be the determining factor for students deciding to begin or continue to pursue their education. All gifts, whether large or small, have the ability to create lasting positive impact. In 2016, Ferris State University launched a unique program called the Ferris Futures Scholarship Challenge, which provides the opportunity for scholarship endowment gifts to be matched dollar for dollar through The Ferris Foundation. Now until June 30, 2022, KCAD alumni and friends can establish a named endowment with a gift of $12,500 or more. Donors can choose to schedule pledge payments over the course of the challenge to reach the minimum gift of $12,500 and establish a named endowment at KCAD. Gifts to KCAD are accepted through The Ferris Foundation but go directly to support KCAD students. To date, the college has received donor commitments through this challenge that will result in the establishment of three new fully endowed scholarships at KCAD. These include the Brian Rizzi Endowed Scholarship, the Dirk Hoffius Scholarship Endowment, and the Michelle Anne Bellavance Scholarship Endowment. I am confident that more KCAD alumni and friends will rise to this challenge and consider establishing an endowed scholarship at KCAD. If you would like more information about this opportunity to create an impact for KCAD students through the gift of scholarship, please contact Jill Schneider at 616.451.2787 x1150 or JillSchneider@ferris.edu. Thank you for your consideration.
Give Today Leslie Bellavance President Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
Please consider making a gift to support student scholarships at KCAD. Visit kcad.edu/giving to give the gift of scholarship today!
UP NEXT AT UICA uica.org Coming Home Nov. 3, 2017–Jan. 28, 2018 Coming Home is a suite of exhibitions featuring works by emerging and established Michigan artists. Coming Home celebrates Michigan’s role as a platform for inspiration, exploration, and creative development by highlighting working artists. Participating artists include Nathan Heuer and Rick Beerhorst. Learn more at uica.org/exhibitions.
Belong. We’ve upgraded your membership benefits and made it even easier to engage with the contemporary exhibitions, cutting-edge cinema, and art-focused events at UICA. Membership benefits include: • Free admission to UICA galleries • $4 movie tickets • Reduced ticket pricing for UICA events • A 10% discount at The Shop • Access to UICA Member Mornings, as well as the stunning fifth-floor loft Renew or upgrade your membership today by visiting uica.org, calling 616.454.7000, or stopping by the UICA Guest Services Desk during our open hours. Questions? Email membership@uica.org.
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS Allesee Metals/Jewelry Design Endowed Scholarship Meredith Honkanen Brian Rizzi Endowed Scholarship Casey Newberg
Robert Bergelin Scholarship Endowment Shellaine Kelley Claire Moreland T.J. Amick Memorial Scholarship Endowment Ke Ying Chen Tim Roberts Scholarship Endowment Eric Schroeder
Friends of Michigan TowerPinkster Interior State Fair Scholarship Endowment Design Scholarship Endowment Shellaine Kelley Hailey Klein Grand Rapids Furniture VanSteenberg Designers Scholarship Scholarship Endowment Endowment Claire Moreland Ke Ying Chen Industrial Design Scholarship Endowment Anthony Hostetler
ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIPS
J.R. Newton Scholarship Endowment Anthony Hostetler
Conduit Study Away Annual Scholarship Elizabeth Bush
Jan G. Vonk Scholarship Endowment Sakino Tomiura
Jose Narezo Scholarship Chen Lu Cao Kierstynn Holman Yifei Kou
The Joe Withers Scholarship and Award Endowment Xing Cui Annina Fremgen Owen Loughrin
WHAT Annual Scholarship Cassandra Heth
The Mathias Alten ENDOWED GIFTS Memorial Award Endowment Baker Collection Endowment Chelsea Harris Supports KCAD’s Michelle Anne Bellavance Baker Furniture Scholarship Endowment Collection Matthew Lewis G.W. Haworth Award Oliver H. Evans Endowment Award Endowment Supports KCAD visiting Nicholas Warren artists and designers
Learn more at uica.org/membership. KCAD PORTFOLIO | FALL 2017
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Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University 17 Fountain St. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3002
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 204 Grand Rapids, MI
Portfolio is published by Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Leslie Bellavance, President
DESIGN AND PRODUCTION KCAD Communications: kcadcommunications@ferris.edu
CONTRIBUTORS Karin Lannon Kyle Moroney John Wiegand
FUTURE CONTRIBUTIONS
IN PARTING Cover artist Isaac Taracks (‘17, BFA Digital Media) currently lends his talents to Google, where he works as a technical motion designer on the YouTube Video Ads design team. See more of his work at taracks.com.
To submit topics, photos, or news for future issues or for the website, visit kcad.edu/comm/submit-news.
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS All articles and photos appearing in Portfolio are the property of Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University and/or their respective authors or photographers. No articles or photos may be reproduced without written permission from the college. © 2017 Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University
KENDALL COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN OF FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY Leslie Bellavance, President www.kcad.edu
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY David L. Eisler, DMA, President www.ferris.edu
FSU BOARD OF TRUSTEES Paul E. Boyer, Chair Lori A. Gwizdala, Vice Chair Ana Ramirez-Saenz, Secretary Gary L. Granger, Immediate Past Chair Robert J. Hegbloom Amna Seibold Rupesh K. Srivastava LaShanda R. Thomas
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU We’re always looking to improve Portfolio! Visit kcad.edu/survey to share your feedback. Ferris State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran or military status, height, weight, protected disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable State or federal laws or regulations in education, employment, housing, public services, or other University operations, including, but not limited to, admissions, programs, activities, hiring, promotion, discharge, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, or retention. Retaliation against any person making a charge, filing a legitimate complaint, testifying, or participating in any discrimination investigation or proceeding is prohibited. Students with disabilities requiring assistance or accommodation may contact Educational Counseling & Disabilities Services at 231.591.3057 in Big Rapids, or the Director of Counseling, Disability & Tutoring Services for Kendall College of Art and Design at 616.451.2787 x 1136 in Grand Rapids. Employees and other members of the University community with disabilities requiring assistance or accommodation may contact the Human Resources Department, 420 Oak St., Big Rapids, MI 49307 or call 231.591.2150.
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Inquiries or complaints of discrimination may be addressed to the Director of Equal Opportunity, 120 East Cedar St., Big Rapids, MI 49307 or by telephone at 231.591.2152; or Title IX Coordinator, 805 Campus Dr., Big Rapids, MI 49307, or by telephone at 231.591.2088. On the KCAD Grand Rapids campus, contact the Title IX Deputy Coordinator, 17 Fountain St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503, 616.451.2787 x 1113.