DEPARTMENT OF STUDIO & DIGITAL ARTS (SADA)

Illuminate Grant For Glowforge Laser Printer

Through an Illuminate Grant from the Center for Research & Scholarship, SADA received a Glowforge laser printer.

Our Glowforge Plus laser printer allows for real-world application of the software we teach in the classroom, turning computer-generated designs into functioning products with the push of a button. This machine can laser-cut and laser-engrave a wide range of materials and has become standard equipment for artists and designers across the industry.

With this machine, we’re able to train students to design for and work with laser printers, increasing their skill sets and marketability as they enter the workforce. The Glowforge is currently being used in a graduate-level course: ARTS 597 – 2D and 3D Fabrication Design.

In April 2023, SADA hosted a workshop for undergraduate students with the goal of equipping them with the necessary skills to operate the Glowforge successfully. The following week, they printed their own Glowforge keychains with the help of our graduate students.

Congressional Art Competition

SADA hosted the 2023 Congressional Awards Ceremony in Green Hall in early May 2023. High school students from the 5th district of Virginia submitted their work into the annual competition. Several SADA professors judged the work and presented the awards alongside Congressman Bob Good. The winning work will be displayed in the Capitol for the next year.

Faculty Accomplishment S

Professors Stacy R. Cannon and Bri O’Neal attended the University & College Designers Association (UCDA) Design Education Summit, a national summit for design educators, chairs, and students. At the conference, they made a presentation entitled Utilizing Placemaking and Identity in Academic Spaces to Encourage Creative Community and Collegial Unity. The topic was received well, and several other universities showed interest in implementing a similar approach to their spaces.

The following students also contributed to this project:

Graduate: Madison Fogarty, Sydney Rabe, Morgan Poole, Olivia Smith, and Natalie Dodd

Undergraduate: Aubrey Cooler, Dana Lamolinara, Bri Janey, Kennedy Luke, and Abby Nolan

TODD SMITH: AUSCHWITZ ALBUM

In a moving tribute to Holocaust survivors, Todd Smith, chair of Liberty University’s Department of Studio & Digital Arts, took part in Holocaust remembrance events as both an artist and curator, featuring Liberty’s “The Auschwitz Album Revisited” series and sculpting a piece that embodies hope and healing. Smith’s work helped observers discover the profound impact of art and music in raising awareness of anti-Semitism while honoring the resilience of the Jewish people. The following students also contributed to this project:

Students Collaborating Across Disciplines

SADA students have had many opportunities to collaborate across disciplines within the last year. They partnered with Cinematic Arts students to draw scenes and props for their short films and worked on the SAPC Advertising team to create graphics to go along with their campaigns. Graphic design students also collaborated to create environmental wall graphics that are displayed throughout the School of Communication & the Arts. Studio artists have had their work displayed in the Jerry Falwell Library and in the Human Resources office during this academic year.

Art Museum Grand Opening

Expanded art museum opens on Liberty’s campus with new pieces, student art made for God’s glory

By Ryan Klinker, Liberty News

The Liberty University Art Museum welcomed local art lovers to its new location in Marie F. Green Hall with a ribbon-cutting grand opening Thursday, Oct. 20, displaying new pieces along with parts of its permanent collection at its expanded new home.

The museum is now located in GH 1350 within the School of Communication & the Arts, down the hall from its former location near the Tower Theater. Multiple other university museum spaces have been upgraded and relocated this year.

Todd Smith, who is both the founding curator of the art museum and chair of the Department of Studio & Digital Arts, said that the opening of this larger space is an answer to many people’s prayers and will provide students opportunities to showcase their God-given talents.

“Before this was ever my idea, it was God’s idea,” Smith said. “Over the years, He’s brought many people along who have done small things and large things to make this happen. A lot of prayer has gone into this. This is God bringing Himself glory, and He’s going to use our students and faculty to do so.”

The crowd of students, faculty, and other art enthusiasts at the opening walked through an array of pieces from the university’s collection and an exhibition of art created by seniors in the studio art program — paintings, drawings, sculptures, textiles, and works in other media. The Barbara A. Engstrom Gallery makes up one-third of the new art space, named after a supporter of the university who donated 30 of her own paintings in addition to glass and sculpted figures and photography she collected during her travels to 99 countries. This collection and funds given by Engstrom and her husband, Frederick, have made the expansion of the university’s art space possible.

School of Communication & the Arts Dean Scott Hayes said that the space will be used as both an educational tool and experience platform for students, faculty, and outside artists.

“It’s an academic activity and also an additional opportunity for us to exhibit the (product) of students doing their very best work,” Hayes said. “We are here to be reminded that God breathed into (us), He commissioned (us), and that we get to create art that worships Him. This museum is going to exist for as long as God blesses it, and it will celebrate Him.”

The Liberty University Art Museum is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Wednesdays from noon to 4:30 p.m. The museum is free of charge and is open to the public.

Marketplace

In October 2022, SADA launched the SADA Marketplace — a space where students can gain real-world experience selling work in a wide variety of media.

Traditional studio art, reproduction prints, printmaking, photography, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and products may be showcased and sold to the community throughout the semester. Through the SADA Marketplace events, students learn how to package, brand, and price their work as well as how to conduct themselves professionally in a storefront setting.

Student Isabella Kosiba has sold work at several SADA Marketplace events.

“Participating in the SADA Marketplace has been a wonderful opportunity to grow as an artist and connect with other students and faculty,” Kosiba said. “It has sparked more creativity in my work, each sale causing me to be excited to create more for the next one. As a student, it’s the perfect environment to begin selling your work.”

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CINEMATIC ARTS — ZAKI GORDON CENTER (CINE)

“NEVER GIVE UP” AND “FIRST RESPONDERS”

In 2022, junior students in the CINE program had the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with the crew of Never Give Up, the true story of how 20-year-old Brad Minns did the impossible in the men’s singles tennis finals at the 1985 Deaf World Games. This feature film was shot in the Lynchburg region, and students worked under department keys (heads) who provided them with some on-the-job training in fulfillment of their course curriculum, enhancing their résumés. Never Give Up is scheduled for release in select theaters this year.

First Responders is a feature-length movie that included CINE students in the crew. Some shots were filmed with a crew that comprised our junior class in 2018; some shots were filmed in 2021 with a crew of CINE alumni. Most of this feature film was shot in Lynchburg and surrounding states. First Responders was released in select theaters for a limited time in October 2022.

Student Awards And Accomplishments

• Daniel Carai: “Official Selection” for In My Mind from The NOVA International Film Festival (2023)

• Daniel Carai: Honorable Mention for In My Mind from the Blackbird Film Festival (2023)

• Josiah Knuth: “Official Selection” for NESO2 from The Garden State Film Festival (2023)

• Josiah Knuth: “Official Selection” for NESO2 from The NOVA International Film Festival (2023)

• Garrett Randol: “Official Selection” for Lachesism from the Oxford International Film Festival (2023)

• Kira Stegmeier: “Official Selection” for Looking Glass from the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (2023)

Faculty Awards And Accomplishments

Dr. Durrell Nelson released a film titled An Unlikely Angel on Pure Flix that earned the following nominations:

International Christian Visual Media (ICVM) 50th Annual

Crown Awards Finalist for:

Best Nontheatrical Release Movie

Best Evangelistic Production

Best Actress In a Leading Role

International Christian Film Festival (ICFF) Awards

Finalist for:

Best Lead Actress

Best Screenplay

Best Supporting Actress

Best Supporting Actor

WorldFest-Houston International Film Festival Awards

Finalist for:

Best Director

Best Family/Children

Best Romance

ELEANOR’S BENCH

The Mulligan

In January, CINE’s most recent feature film The Mulligan (2021) received the Movieguide® nomination for 2023’s Most Inspirational Independent Film. CINE Executive Director Stephan Schultze attended the ceremony in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 10, 2023. Additionally, lead actor Pat Boone won the Grace Prize® for Most Inspiring Performance for Movies.

Pictured: Executive Director Stephan Schultze with Ken Blanchard (author of The Mulligan book) and Rick Eldridge (executive producer of the movie).

In 2022, CINE students and alumni played an integral role in the production and creation of the captivating TV series Eleanor’s Bench. Under the visionary leadership of Stephan Schultze, executive director of CINE and the show’s writer/director, these talented individuals brought the compelling story to life. The series follows the journey of a woman who returns to her inner-city neighborhood to serve as a judge in the local juvenile court, driven by a desire to effect substantial change. Drawing inspiration from real-life experiences and working closely with campus ministry initiatives, Schultze crafted a narrative that explores themes of redemption, community, and personal growth. The series showcases the remarkable talent and dedication of Liberty University’s CINE students and alumni, who infused their passion for storytelling into every aspect of the production.

Recently released on Pure Flix in June 2023, Eleanor’s Bench has received acclaim for its powerful storytelling, exceptional performances, and thought-provoking themes. The involvement of Liberty University’s CINE students and alumni in this project exemplifies the university’s commitment to equipping students with practical skills and real-world experiences that prepare them for success in the film industry.