Mount Mary University Remark December 2016

Page 1


LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

STAFF

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Nhung Nguyen

WEB/ MANAGING EDITOR Natalie Guyette

ART DIRECTOR Denisse Hernandez

WEBMASTER Emily Chapman

BUSINESS MANAGER Kimberly Xiong

EDITORS Emily Chapman Jamie Hollins Amanda Cibulka Natalie Guyette Termeria Taper

I

n the midst of a stressful time in the semester, I wandered up to the fourth floor of Notre Dame Hall and stumbled upon this inconspicuous button. Why did it take me so long to notice this thing? I must have walked past it about a hundred times, eyeing up those vending machine fruit snacks to microwave my third, half-drunk coffee instead. If you’re like me, you often get caught up in the mediocrity of being a busy college student and forget to look around you once in awhile. Maybe the universe was telling to me take time out of my day to look at this button from an artist’s perspective and come up with some kind of metaphor, so I could write a groundbreaking editor’s letter. (All jokes aside, the button did give me a few minutes of solace while the thoughts of deadlines were consuming me). Coincidently, the button was a 3-D art project created by Amanda Cibulka, staff member on Arches. She later told me about her trials of frustration and exhaustion that went into the creation of that button, but in the end, she said it was worth it. Art is like that. Arches is kind of like that, too – reMARK being our art project. reMARK is our special edition that focuses on a particular area of study on our creative campus. This issue, we wanted to spotlight the School of Arts and Design. Lucky for you, reporters Suzie Skalmoski and Emily Chapman did all the legwork, so you could read about students and faculty in these departments. In “Students Create Identity by Choosing Artistic Paths” on page 6, Skalmoski features student artists who create art using six various media. On page 10, Chapman profiles four art and design professors who are “Driven by Art.” Then on page 20, reporter Natalie Guyette provides a helpful film-watching guide for your next trip to the theater. So, get your popcorn and round of applause ready. If you made it to the last few lines of my letter, hold your applause. I’d like to take this time to call out my Arches team members. Thank you for all your dedication to the publication and for exceeding expectations to keep our vision alive! This vision can be seen in our latest handcrafted art project, reMARK, which you hold in your hands. Okay, now applaud.

WRITERS Emily Chapman Alyssa Sarenac Natalie Guyette Suzie Skalmoski Jamie Hollins Sandrea Smith Zahra Said Shannon Venegas DESIGNERS

Emily Chapman Amanda Cibulka Natalie Guyette Denisse Hernandez

Nina Kesic Marin Lynch Suzie Skalmoski Beth Van Hammond

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Emily Chapman Amanda Cibulka Natalie Guyette

Denisse Hernandez Nina Kesic Nhung Nguyen Suzie Skalmoski

FACULTY ADVISERS Linda Barrington Laura Otto Arches is written and edited by the students of Mount Mary University, who are solely responsible for its editorial content. Arches is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press.

Contact Arches at Arches, Mount Mary University 2900 N. Menomonee River Pkwy. Milwaukee, WI 53222 414-930-3027 Email: mmu-arches@mtmary.edu Stay updated at www.archesnews.com

Editor-in-Chief nguyenn@mtmary.edu COVER LAYOUT BY DENISSE HERNANDEZ

FOLLOW US! @MountMaryArches

LIKE US! Arches


THE WOMEN BEHIND THE MAGAZINE

Nhung Nguyen

Denisse Hernandez

Nina Kesic

Kimberly Xiong

Marin Lynch

Amanda Cibulka

Suzie Skalmoski

Sandrea Smith

Beth Van Hammond

Alyssa Sarenac

Zahra Said

Shannon Venegas

Jamie Hollins

Natalie Guyette

Emily Chapman

Sheila Suda

Art 2016 | reMARK

1


Puhl’s True Value Hardware, Inc Friendly, Knowledgeable

$5 Off $25 Purchase

Customer Service

Valid on Regular Priced Merchandise Only (Coupon Has No Cash Value)

Window & Screen Repair, Key Cutting, Pipe Cutting & Threading, Small Engine Repair, Color Match Paint Mixing

Offer Expires 03/13/17

ARCH-2 ARCH-1

PUHL’S TRUE VALUE HARDWARE, INC

1525 N. 68th Street Wauwatosa, WI 53213 (414) 476-0833 truevalue.com/puhls

Hours:

M – F: 8:00am – 8:00pm Sat: 8:00am – 5:00pm Sun: 10:00am – 3:00pm

Serving The Community Over 44 Years

NOW HIRING

WE CAN ACCOMMODATE YOUR SCHEDULE. DAY, NIGHT & WEEKEND SHIFTS AVAILABLE. STOP BY THE CAFE TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION!

11500 W. BU RLEIGH ST. 414.476.2233

2

Wauwtosa_Help wanted ad.indd 1

Archesnews.com

9/29/16 4:12 PM


CONTENTS | ART 2016

Campus 4

Dreaming in Pictures

Creative Works

Students Create Identity by Choosing Artistic Paths

Student Artwork & Design

6

27

10

Perspectives

Features

Horsin’ Around

Driven by Art

14

Crafted Artistry

31

32

A Native Voice

16

Ten Hidden Milwaukee Art & Design Destinations

20

Let’s Talk Film

23

3 Ways to See Color

Art 2016 | reMARK

3


CAMPUS

Dreaming in Pictures

Mount Mary art and design throught the decades Words Zahra Said | Design Natalie Guyette

These photos, provided by archives, demonstrate the important role art and design have had on Mount Mary students no matter the decade. Two photos of current students maintain that art and design are still ever present.

Art and design have been an integral part of Mount Mary’s curriculum since its inception. “The school sisters had interest in art,” said Barbara Armstrong, Dean of the School of Arts and Design. “The university believed in educating the whole person. The whole person includes art and literature aside from science.” Today, the School of Arts & Design offers the following programs of study that create a strong foundation in the visual arts and design: Art Therapy Fashion Design Fashion Merchandise Management Fine Art Graphic Design Interior Design In addition, there are opportunities to study performing arts disciplines, including music and dance.

4

Archesnews.com

According to Armstrong, appreciating beauty and understanding beauty in the things we see allows us to be aware of our surroundings. “Your brain has to have the capacity in beauty and awareness,” Armstrong said. “I can’t imagine life without having some sort of artistic expression. Seeing the world in a different way and responding to that … I think that’s what the world is about. You translate how man-made and nature-made things into art.” Jordan Acker Anderson, chair of the art and graphic design departments, said a career as an artist is a rewarding life path, which can be attained “with a good degree of personal motivation.” “I (want to) dispel the cultural myths that surround what it means to be an artist and share the diversity of options one can explore with an art or graphic design degree,” Anderson said.

Mount Mary’s programs are unique because students can study the arts from a social justice perspective and participate in collaborative projects with the community and local businesses. “We recently completed a large-scale project for GE Healthcare that is displayed in their workspace by the Menlo Design Studio,” Anderson said. “Many of our students exhibit and compete in national competitions as individual artists.” Armstrong said that the arts allow you to experiment and explore different areas that might be outside of your comfort zone, which can help any student grow as an individual and an artist. “Follow your wonder and the things that make you think and explore,” Armstrong said.

Art 2016 | reMARK

31


Mikala Cornelius, a current senior psychology major, creating a piece for Art for the Helping Professions. Photo by Amanda Cibulka.

“Art has the power to dream in pictures.� -Dean Barbara Armstrong

To the left: Samantha Cunningham, a current senior art therapy major, works on a watercolor piece. Photo by Amanda Cibulka.

Art 2016 | reMARK315 Art 2016 | reMARK


STUDIO ART CAMPUS

INTERIOR DESIGN

Dance GRAPHIC DESIGN

music 6

art therapy

Archesnews.com


CAMPUS

Students create identity by choosing artistic paths Words & Photos | Suzie Skalmoski | Design Marin Lynch & Suzie Skalmoski

When you picture an artist, you might imagine someone who likes to spend hours alone painting away on a blank canvas in a brightly lit room. But that’s not the case with the student artists at Mount Mary University. These six MMU artists – who specialize in music, dance, fine art, graphic design, art therapy and interior design – are passionate about their specialized art forms, but also seek out ways to share their talents with others on campus and beyond.

Studio Art Emily Williams, a senior majoring in studio art, decided on her major after exploring her skills as an artist at Mount Mary. “I started with art therapy for career stability in my mind … as I began exploring the classes and my skills more, I found that (studio art) is where I was Emily Williams most comfortable,” Williams said. “I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing.” Williams discovered her artistic talent in middle school as she started taking more art classes. Williams said that she was inspired by Louise Bourgeois’ work. “She comes from a feminist standpoint, and she has a history of really strong emotion and events in her past to make work that speaks for itself,” Williams said. Williams said the visual arts are imperative to the development of the community. “People talk about the visual recognition of art, but I think that there is a lot to gain in making art and helping others explore it as well,” Williams said. While Williams has an artistic major, she feels she is gaining many different skills by getting an education from a liberal arts college. “What’s really unique for the fine art department is that Mount Mary pushes us to be well-rounded and have an education in many different subjects, so we come to make art from a very educated standpoint in many different aspects.”

Interior Design Carly Seefeldt, a senior majoring in interior design, does not necessarily come from an artistic family, but she and her sister have enjoyed creating art their whole lives. “My sister’s really artsy,” Seefeldt said. “I wouldn’t necessarily say my mom and my dad are artsy, but my mom will keep everything. They encouraged our art.” Seefeldt discovered Carly Seefeldt interior design when her sister moved out of the house. She asked her parents if she could redecorate her sister’s room, and they allowed her to do so. From then on, Seefeldt has been interested in interior design. “I definitely knew I was artsy … I loved art classes. I was never put down, so I thought I was pretty good,” Seefeldt said. “I think I’ve always known I was into art because it makes me happy, so that’s why I picked the field.” Before Seefeldt chose interior design, she thought about going into other artistic fields as well. “I was kind of debating on three different majors,” Seefeldt said. “I was thinking cinematography, advertising, or interior design. I figured interior design would allow me to do more art and more design than advertising.” In addition to creating artwork for school and projects, Seefeldt enjoys creating artwork for relaxation. “I love making hall decorations … I’m the kind of person who likes doing things… I like doing things while watching TV – I can’t just sit and do nothing, so most of the time, I keep my hands busy,” Seefeldt said. Seefeldt said that design helps people think about their surroundings. “When I create a space, I want users to walk through and actually be impacted by it,” Seefeldt said. “I want people to have a good experience when they are utilizing the spaces that they use.” Seefeldt said the Mount Mary University community has made an impact on her passion for interior design. “I transferred in, but the interior design program is really small, so I’ve gotten to know the girls that are in the program really well,” Seefeldt said. “It kind of feels like a tight-knit family in a way … Everybody is super helpful. [My adviser] is super hardworking, and she really wants you to succeed.”

Art 2016 | reMark

7


CAMPUS

Dance Grace Jentsch, a sophomore majoring in fashion design, started dancing when she was 3 years old, and hasn’t stopped since. “My mom thought it would be a fun thing for me to do … I’ve loved it ever since,” Jentsch said. She does any kind of dance style, but pointe and musical theatre dance are some of her favorite styles. “I pretty much love all of the styles … I’m better at more of the technical ones,” Jentsch said. “I’m more of a pirouette than a bop.” Jentsch not only has continued dancing at home, but she also has a very important role as one of the officers of the Mount Mary University Dance Association. Although it was difficult to start up this year with a new choreographer and adviser, Jentsch took initiative and got a team together as soon as possible. “Dance is how I handle things, and Dance Association was the only secure way to always have dance as a part of it,” Jentsch said. “I put a lot of effort into creating the perfect leadership team so that we could really have a good time and continue that openness and fun for others.” Her involvement in dance has continued in college, and her long-term goal for Dance Association is for it to grow in numbers. “We are an arts school … the dancers are here,” Jentsch said. “It was just about giving them the opportunities to pursue (dance) as they wish.” While focusing mainly on dance, Jentsch expressed her love for the performing arts and how the arts contribute to the development of Mount Mary University. “It keeps you very involved and Grace Jentsch inspired,” Jentsch said.“It keeps you in touch with other people who are as or more creative than you … it keeps you in the loop of everything creative. The arts were a place where I excelled … that’s where my heart was.”

Graphic Design Jessie Minkley, a senior majoring in graphic design and fine art, hopes to pursue a job in illustration. “My ultimate plan is to create my very own cartoon TV show,” Minkley said. Minkley has always been into art, and she knew that she wanted to pursue an artistic career, so she started studying fashion. After she took an Adobe class, she realized that she was more passionate about computer art, so she decided to pursue a major

8

Archesnews.com

in graphic design. While Minkley does not come from an artsy family, she is able to share her artistic talents with her family, as she made almost every painting that is hung up in her house. Minkley enjoys the artistic elements of computer games and video games. When she Jessie Minkley was in high school, she started doing photography and retouching her photos. This sparked an interest in doing something with the artistic digital world. “With graphic design, it’s pretty much everything you see,” Minkley said. “Every single poster here [at Mount Mary] is graphically designed. If people stopped to look around and realized that almost everything in their life has been probably affected by a graphic designer, I feel like people could appreciate it more.” Minkley designed the posters for the Teaching Excellence Awards, and they can be seen around campus.

music .... Michelle Domanski, a sophomore majoring in theology, has been an active participant in the Mount Mary University Gospel Choir. She has been in choirs throughout her educational career. “I’ve always been in music classes since I was in elementary school,” Domanski said. “I Michelle Domanski didn’t take choir my first semester at Mount Mary, and I really missed it. I decided to join Gospel Choir.” Domanski said that singing is a way of expression and allows her to relieve stress. She is also a part of the Modern Dance class this semester, but her heart really is invested in singing in Gospel Choir. “When I hear a song, I want to sing it,” Domanski said. “It’s hard not to sing.” While she loves listening to the radio, she likes singing sheet music better. Gospel Choir has been a good fit for her, she said. “Music allows you to fully express yourself without judgment,” Domanski said. “It doesn’t matter how good you can sing as long as you allow yourself to be vulnerable. It makes the world a happier place. People can enjoy music and relieve stress.”


Art Therapy Tricia Hohnl, a senior majoring in art therapy and art education, comes from a family of engineers. She decided to pursue her artistic side as an art therapist. “I chose art therapy because I enjoyed art, and I wanted to help people,” Hohnl said. “[My mom] knew I was good at art, so she did a lot of investigation for me when I was going into college.” Hohnl has been an artist almost her whole life. She remembers a specific moment when she really got into creating art pieces. “[My dad] drew my dog in my house, and then on the backside he drew our yard, and I held on to that picture for like 10 years,” Hohnl said. “That was the start of my creative side.” As an artist, creating works is therapeutic to her. “I like to paint, and I also like to work with yarn, doing crochet, blankets, scarves,” Hohnl said. “Anything that requires repetition is really therapeutic to me.” Hohnl started to recognize her passion for art when she was in middle school and high school. “Once I started getting into the advanced art classes, I could see myself going into some type of art-based career,” Hohnl said. Since then, she has been creating artwork and hasn’t stopped. Hohnl’s favorite type of art is pop art. “I enjoy pop artists like Andy Warhol and Robert Rauschenberg because of the bright colors and simplistic design,” Hohnl said. “I

also enjoy the fact that they base their work on popular culture and the controversy surrounding their work.” Art is very important for today’s society, Hohnl said. “I think there’s a big need for art as a creative release in youth all the way up Tricia Hohnl until you are in your 80s, 90s,” Hohnl said. “It’s something to take your mind off of things, and it helps you release some of that tension that builds up inside of you. You can’t spell earth without art, and I think art in general helps society move along. Anything you see is art. There’s an art to creating a computer, there’s an art to advertising, there’s an art to building things, so we need it in order to function.” Hohnl said her educational career at Mount Mary University has given her a chance to explore what she loves. She feels that people in the Mount Mary University community are able to build each other up and depend on each other. “That’s very hard to find in a college atmosphere – people who actually want to see you do better instead of the competition,” Hohnl said.

Young Voices blog

Seven young writers share thoughts about spirituality and current events RawPixel.com/Shutterstock

NATIONAL CATHOLIC

REPORTER

THE INDEPENDENT NEWS SOURCE

NCRonline.org/blogs/young-voices Facebook.com/NCRonline | Twitter: @NCRonline

Art 2016 | reMark

9


CAMPUS

driven by ar Four professors of art & design share their stories Words Emily Chapman | Design Natalie Guyette

Creativity is an essential part of Mount Mary University’s identity, and the professors who teach here embrace this both inside and outside of the classroom. Meet four professors from the interior design, art therapy, fine art and graphic design departments whose creative spirits inspire students and inform their own lives.

Anna Janke

A

Adjunct Interior Design Instructor

nna Janke wanted to be a writer, a jockey and an artist when she was little, but most importantly she wanted to go into business. When she started babysitting for various families at 13 years old, she kept a client notebook. Janke graduated with a degree in internal relations and a minor in business from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her goal was to work within a company, work with the international clients visiting the U.S. and work abroad as needed. After Janke graduated, she worked as a study abroad adviser for a year and then started working in retail. One night, she and a friend were frustrated with their retail jobs and wanted to find a career as opposed to a job. At the time, she was also managing the building they were living in and was renovating one of the units, so they decided to take some interior design classes. “That was the mix I was looking for,” Janke said. “The creative side, the business side together in one. It drew me into the field.” Janke earned an associate’s degree in interior design and a National Council for Interior Design Qualifications Certifications. She worked in smaller residen-

10

Archesnews.com

tial design firms before starting her own business, which she has had for four years now. Her focus is to help elderly people stay in their homes longer. Janke’s favorite design was for her client Helen, who is in her 80s and wanted to be able to continue to live in her home. “It’s very specific to her because she didn’t care about resale or what do the neighbors think,” Janke said. “She’s 80. She knows actually what she likes, and she’s very artistic. The wall color, I’ve never done anything like that before. She had all this beautiful artwork through her years of traveling and life and experience that I got to work with.” Janke tries to incorporate art into all of her classes. She likes making the messy kind of art, especially mixed media. “I just took a mixed media class myself,” Janke said. “It’s very forgiving because it’s all these layers. If I did a paint by number, I would go crazy.” As an undergraduate, Janke studied two semesters abroad in China. She had taken two years of Chinese in high school and was interested in the calligraphy and the drawing. “Every time there was a break I tried to travel,” Janke said. “Even if I had a week off, I would go to Shanghai. I had a lan-

Photo by Emily Chapman

guage partner there that I met every week. I would come back and talk to her and she said, ‘You have been to places I’ve never been. I’ve lived here my whole life.’” In her spare time, Janke does a lot of reading, gardening and yard work. She likes reading mystery novels and serial books. Her garden is filled with perennials and raspberries. She likes doing yard work because her kids can play outside while she works. “Every day is different,” Janke said. “I use all my skills. I am challenged to use them in new ways for every project and every classroom … I love where I am at.”


rt A

Melody Todd

Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Program Adviser for Art Therapy

neighbor is for borrowing a cup of sugar. A neighbor is for letting your dog outside when you are on vacation. A neighbor is for teaching you painting. Melody Todd grew up making art with her mother’s encouragement. Her mother signed her up for a watercolor class with a neighbor who was an artist. “We worked in the summer, and she just had a beautiful garden of hollyhocks,” Todd said. “We were watercolor painting hollyhocks. She was this very passionate, robust woman that was an inspiration to me. I loved how she felt so excited about life.” Todd attended a college prep high school where due to her rigorous course load, she was unable to take an art class until her senior year. In college, she double majored in psychology and art, the foundation for art therapy. She chose to pursue art therapy because it was the perfect blend of her love of art and people. “Particularly in art therapy, I really love paying attention to the process of art making,” Todd said. “Art for me has been a way to understand myself and the world.” After graduation, she worked in a psychiatric facility as an occupational therapy assistant in the adolescent department and an art therapist in the inpatient child psychiatric unit. During her time there, she also earned her master’s degree in art therapy. Nine years later, she opened her own consulting practice and eventually become an instructor for an introduction to art therapy class at Mount Mary. One year later, she became a full-time art therapy professor. “It’s been a really rich opportunity to bring compassion and creativity and the love of community and women’s issues all together,” Todd said. “I don’t know if I would have been as happy teaching anywhere else as I am at Mount Mary because of those opportunities to follow my heart.” Todd also expresses herself creatively by writing free verse poetry and prayers. “I do really like working

Photos by Denisse Hernandez

with intention, to start out with an idea of something that I want to bring into the experience of making art and then respond to the art through poetry,” Todd said. Growing up with a foundation in the Catholic faith, Todd has always been fond of the rituals, such as burning incense and taking part in mass. She has always wanted to follow the Christian values of being kind and open. These interests have influenced her approach to art therapy and teaching. “When you are setting the stage for doing a group, you are creating a sacred, safe space,” Todd said. “There are certain routines around what you do that help people settle in and feel open to expressing themselves. Those aspects sort of set the stage for my spiritual focus here in my teaching.” In her free time, Todd enjoys spending time with her family, working in her garden and reading. Her garden is mostly made up of perennials, but also includes a small tomato plant and rainbow chard. Her favorite things to read are historically or culturally-based fiction and nonfiction about spiritual enrichment and the science behind the larger connection. Todd enjoys working with art that has the ability to create itself. Just as art can take its own direction, students also have the ability to create themselves. “I love the ripple effect of students bringing their creativity and compassion and their ability to collaborate out into the world,” Todd said. “I feel that is a valuable contribution.”

Art 2016 | reMARK

11


CAMPUS

Deb Heermans Assistant Professor of Art

W

hen Deb Heermans was little, she played with a dollhouse made out of cardboard boxes that she had made with her grandmother. Due to her father’s early death, Heermans spent time with her grandmother while her mother worked. “I was very shy as a child,” Heermans said. “Art became my voice, which had a lot to do with how art was introduced to me, not from an academic structure. In schools, you have to do it the right way. My grandma showed me you can do it a hundred different ways … She wasn’t an art teacher, but she loved art.” Her grandmother taught her that play in art is important. Play in art means being open and experimental in the approach to art making. Heermans still uses the concept of play in her personal approach to art making and also incorporates it into all of her classes. “Where I learned to play from my grandmother, my teachers at Mount Mary taught me how to see,” Heermans said. “My very first class was a design class with Sister Remy. She (printed) all the silk screening pieces that are around campus ... Her approach was really to open our eyes to look at things from a different perspective.” When Heermans was a child, her mother would bring home slides and little test tubes from her job as a lab tech. Heermans would play “medicine,” imagining a future working in the field. After fainting twice at the sight of blood, she changed her mind. This led her to pursue art therapy because it was a bridge be-

12

Archesnews.com

tween her interest in medicine and her love of art. Heermans began her undergraduate career at Mount Mary as an art therapy and art education major. She had always had an interest in teaching, but it was the teachers at Mount Mary that really inspired her to become a teacher. “I had teachers that you could just tell they loved doing what they wanted to do,” Heermans said. “That was not teaching something. It was helping the students to find their passion with the art.” For 23 years, Heermans worked at Wisconsin Lutheran College. During her time there, she taught classes, built the art program into a major, chaired the department, saw the creation of an art building, started an art guild and served as the gallery director. “I never expected to be a gallery director, but I found it was another way to share art,” Heermans said. “If there is one goal that I have as an artist, as a teacher, as a mother, is to show the value of art in our lives. Not art as a means of making things, but art as a means of connecting, discovering, playing, problem solving.” Heermans started at Mount Mary as the director of the summer program for kids called Creative Connections. She then became an art instructor and four years later, became the chair of the art department and a full-time professor. “I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity to come back to the place that was really the starting point to my career,” Heermans said. “When I first started here, I was working with a few of my teachers. They were my colleagues. To be working with those people again on

this level as a professor, instructor meant a lot to me because they taught me so much.” Heermans continues to makes her own art. When she went back for her master’s degree in art, she immersed herself in printmaking. Now, she has transitioned from printmaking to paper making. “I’m a very tactile person,” Heermans said. “What I like about that (paper making) is it’s painterly. You can sculpt it like clay. You can use mixed media, which I absolutely love. It addresses all my little passions in art making. There’s no one way of doing it.” In high school, Heermans was in the jazz band and the marching band. She played the clarinet and saxophone. For a little while after high school, she played the clarinet in a community group. Today, she no longer plays, but enjoys listening to jazz and starts her classes off with music. “It sets the tone and the mood for the day,” Heermans said. “Art sets that tone and mood in aesthetic, in a building, in the clothes you wear. That’s why I feel they’re both so important for everyone. It’s another way to communicate.” In her free time, Heermans enjoys spending time with her family and camping. Her favorite place to camp is Madeline Island in Lake Superior, which she described as similar to Hawaii but closer. While there, she likes to draw. “Each part of my path in art has been different and new, even though it’s all connected,” Heermans said. “There was always something a little different. And that kept me current. It kept me vital. It kept me passionate about it rather than being stagnant and going one direction.” Photos by Emily Chapman


Sue Schroeder

Adjunct Graphic Design Instructor

S

Photos by Emily Chapman

ue Schroeder flunked her sixth grade art class. “I was always in the art room,” Schroeder said. “It was probably the first thing people noticed about me from an academic standpoint. So even though I flunked that one class, I went on to win some scholarships. It was the first thing that people gave me credit for and paid attention to.” Schroeder never felt like she could be a professional artist because she needed to earn a degree. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in psychology and then attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for a master’s degree in visual communications. Later, she moved to Florida and began working for a company called Nutmeg Mills, a screen printing company that specialized in printing for athletes. “Oddly enough, that one job choice really colored my next several job choices,” Schroeder said “So once I was in screen printing and doing design work for screen printing, my next job went into

doing graphics for Harley Davidson. Then doing graphic for large liquor companies.” Schroeder is constantly learning. If there is something within the field that she does not know, she is eager to read more about it, try it out and see what it is like. “I think a lot of what we do from the standpoint of art or graphics is experience-based,” Schroeder said. “Most people can leave their jobs, and they just leave their jobs. I am submerged.” When she was working in a screen printing and promotions company and felt she needed more website knowledge, she decided to go back to school. Instead of pursuing another degree, she applied to be an instructor at the Waukesha County Technical College. “I like everything about teaching adults,” Schroeder said. “The best thing about teaching adults is they are in a class because they want to be, usually. I prefer to have people in my classes because they have an interest in what I am teaching than people who are in my classes because they have to be.” Her interest in teaching led Schroeder to pursue a master’s degree in education at Alverno College. While she was finishing her degree, Mount Mary had a position open up for a graphic design instructor. “At the time I started at Mount Mary in the graphics program, there was a real positivity, a real push forward,” Schroeder said. “They were getting new computers. They were readjusting their curriculum. It was all going in the direction of growth and being positive and learning-forward.” Schroeder spends more of her free time making art than creating designs. She does create designs for Red Bubble, a website where artists can sell their designs on t-shirts, mugs, phone cases and many other promotional products. “In the winter, I get more into textiles and knitting and things like that,” Schroeder said. “In the summer, I tend to do more glasswork or beading. I like to paint. I redo furniture.” Schroeder used to think that art and graphic design were not connected because graphic design was about putting a message or a product out. Through her years of experience, she has learned that the traditional art approach actually helps in putting out the message or product. “I blur the lines a lot between visual communications and art and graphics,” Schroeder said. “I like there to be attractiveness or some sense of art to graphic design.”

Art 2016 | reMARK

13


FEATURE

Crafted Artistry Words Alyssa Sarenac Photos Denisse Hernandez Design Sheila Suda

14

Archesnews.com

When you think of art, do you think of the pieces within a museum? Or do you think of crafts you see on Pinterest? Even before social media, the question of what makes something art and what makes it a craft has been discussed. Some think art and crafts go hand in hand, while others argue crafting is only the imitation of art.


“One distinction that’s often used is that a crafts person is somebody who follows instructions,” said James Conlon, philosophy professor at Mount Mary University. “Whereas, the artist is somebody who injects a certain amount of creativity and originality into the work.” Conlon currently teaches Philosophy of Beauty in Art this semester and has discussed this very topic with his students. While he respects differing opinions, he still holds that it’s creativity that separates the arts from the crafts. “You could make a chair that’s as powerful as Michelangelo’s David, depending on how much expression and originality you put into it,” Conlon said. “If you’re just looking at the instructions from IKEA and you’re just putting it together (even if you’re doing it very well), it’s basically following instructions, not making art.” Jordan Anderson, chair of the art and graphic design department and associate professor of art, said art is created for the enjoyment of the audience, while a craft is created for the “potential use or consideration of it.” She said that while they are different in some ways, they can occasionally come together to create something interesting. Conlon said that arts and crafts each fulfill different needs. “As much care and skill can go into a craft as an art,” Conlon said. “I suspect everybody’s both craft- and art-oriented with regards to different things and times.” Conlon said that there are many

things people might not think of when they hear the words “arts” and “crafts.” “You could do philosophy as a craft or as an art,” he said. “Some people follow the logic of an argument in an

instruction kind of way. Others create new arguments that take them in different directions and find examples that nobody has thought of before. When

people can ask questions newly and originally, then I think you’re doing philosophy as creative art, rather than just repeating questions that others have asked.” Anderson thinks this use of the term “art” blurs what actual art is. “There is an art to [other aspects of life], but studio arts and visual arts create a discipline, field and market separate from things like the application of makeup, which might be better suited to a discussion about theater or fashion,” Anderson said. “To say ‘the art of doing something well’ does not imply that the outcome should be automatically categorized as art.” Anderson said art is highly subjective in the studio process, but it can be explored in an objective manner. “Some artists attempt to be as objective as possible in the work that they create, whereas others attempt to generate expressive works that convey only subjective emotional content,” Anderson said. Anderson said the media has complicated our understanding of art and how familiar we are with it. “It changes the viewing scale, complicates color relationships and removes the aura of the art object by the viewer not being present with the materials,” Jordan said. Conlon said it would be interesting if we could have as much art in our lives as we can. “I suppose that would mean we would have a lot less stuff in our lives,” Conlon said. “Such as, if we just focused on wanting expressive chairs rather than comfortable chairs.”

Art 2016 | reMARK

15


FEATURE

Ten Hidden Milwaukee Art & Design Destinations Words Jamie Hollins | Design Emily Chapman

Milwaukee is famous for its long and illustrious brewing tradition, abundance of festivals, creamy frozen custard and beloved Milwaukee Brewers. But what tends to be overlooked is its awe-inspiring artistry and design. Hidden among the pubs and bars are noteworthy yet little-known gems of the city that beg to be the focal point of the public eye. Here are 10 crème-de-la-crème, must-see attractions.

1 David Barnett Gallery

Barnett’s gallery has generated excitement since 1966 because of its wide range of pieces by artists from all over the world, including right here in Milwaukee. Barnett began collecting art in his dorm room, and as his passion for art expanded, it was necessary to expand the space in which he could display it. Here you can find brilliant European and American artists as well as art from the owner himself. There is even a crayon drawing made by Barnett’s daughter at 5 years old on display. It goes to show the level of dedication to mastery and art eccentricity that is the focus of the David Barnett Gallery. Second to none in Wisconsin galleries, this space is notable for its Picasso ceramics and Milton Avery oil paintings. Just a single visit is all it takes to revive the artist in you.

Photo by Nina Kesic

2

Address: 1024 E. State St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone Number: (414) 271-5658

The Basilica of Saint Josaphat

Now the largest Polish parish in Wisconsin, the Basilica of Saint Josaphat was founded in 1888 when a group of Polish immigrants settled in Milwaukee. This historic house of worship was erected as an effort to create a sense of lasting cultural influence in Milwaukee with the growth of the Polish community in the late 1800s. Saint Josaphat Parish was completed in 1901. The Parish was designed by architect Erhard Brielmaier and made to the likeness of St. Peter’s in Rome. Address: 2333 S. 6th St., Milwaukee, WI 53215 Phone Number: (414) 645-5623

16

Archesnews.com

Photo by Nina Kesic


3

Waterfront Deli

“Waterfront” is an appropriate name for this deli housed in a historic building and situated in Milwaukee’s bustling downtown lakefront neighborhood. Only a hop, skip and jump away are such attractions as the Pabst Theatre, Milwaukee Art Museum and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Waterfront Deli includes hot food options, as well as shelves of fruit preserves and a rack featuring wines of every variety. Enter into the establishment and behold the mural of onlookers decked out in their opera best. As if this place weren’t cool enough, it also has a food lift that takes your meal from the first floor to the second floor for your convenience. Address: 761 N. Water St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone Number: (414) 220-9300 Photo by Jamie Hollins

4

Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum

Traveling to Italy sounds like a dream come true, but the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum takes that dream a small step into reality. Fashioned to resemble the villas of the Italian Renaissance, this design masterpiece was crafted in 1923 by architect David Adler as a home for Lloyd Smith and his family. Many have been lucky enough to rent the space to host weddings and formal business engagements. From its grand ballroom to the luscious gardens, the Villa Terrace Decorative Arts Museum is a cannotmiss Milwaukee attraction. Address: 2220 N. Terrace Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone Number: (414) 271-3656

Photo by Nina Kesic

5 Four Corners Fair Trade Store

“Small yet mighty” is the phrase that comes to mind when describing Four Corners Fair Trade. Clara Tracey, owner and operator, beams with pride at how far the organization has come. Journey inside and experience the one-of-a-kind artifacts handcrafted from places all over the world. Emphasizing culture, sustainability and togetherness, Four Corners is not just a shopping destination, it is a local learning center. Enjoying all that Milwaukee has to offer comes with appreciating its struggles and its success, which is at the heart of this fair trade store. Tucked away in the Vliet neighborhood, Four Corners is a diamond in the rough. Address: 5708 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI 53208 Phone Number: (414) 443-9606

Photo by Jamie Hollins

Art 2016 | reMARK

17


FEATURE

6

Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum Mural

Clayborn Benson, founder and director of the WBHSM, sought out artist George Gist to recreate the mural – originally painted in 1990 – that runs the length of the building. Featured in the Sherman Park neighborhood, the mural is named “The Gift” Having already completed 300 murals, Gist approached this 125-by-50-foot wall with excitement and determination. The mural Gist completed for WBHSM was his largest mural project to date. The mural remains vibrant and joyous as ever. Address: 2620 W. Center St., Milwaukee, WI 53206 Phone Number: (414) 372-7677

Photo by Nina Kesic

7

Menomonee Valley Urban Ecology Center

Located on the south side of Milwaukee, the Menomonee Valley branch of the Urban Ecology Center is the organization’s newest branch. The grand opening took place in fall of 2012. The center is positioned next to Escuela Verde, a learning institution for youths. It runs along the Hank Aaron State Trail and neighbors Three Bridges Park. Menomonee Valley offers its community the opportunity to experience an outdoor classroom where they can learn more about native wildlife, vegetation and how to live an Earthfriendly lifestyle. Not to mention, the facility itself is made from repurposed and sustainable materials and is a testimony to the values of the Urban Ecology Center organization as a whole.

Photo by Jamie Hollins

8

Address: 3700 W. Pierce St., Milwaukee, WI 53215 Phone Number: (414) 431-2940

Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church

Just a short six-minute drive away from Mount Mary University campus resides one of the 10 oldest Greek Orthodox churches in the country. Frank Lloyd Wright designed the church in his later days, though he was unable to witness the groundbreaking, which took place in 1961. The design of the church keeps Greek Orthodox faith and traditions alive in color and its symbols. Now named Greek Orthodox Manor, the church holds holiday festivals and an annual picnic and is home to senior citizens from the Milwaukee area. Address: 9400 W. Congress St., Milwaukee, WI 53225 Phone Number: (414) 461-9400

18

Photo by Nina Kesic

Archesnews.com


9 Musical Memories

This quaint record store has been located on Milwaukee’s East Side for more than 30 years. Its regular customers are as loyal as the employees, and the space is as eclectic as its music content. Complete with vinyl records, cassette tapes, music paraphernalia and CDs, you’ll find yourself in a retro wonderland.

Address: 833 E. Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202 Phone Number: (414) 271-0666

Photo by Nina Kesic

10

Amaranth Bakery and Café

Created and maintained by husband and wife David Boucher and Stephanie Shipley, Amaranth Bakery & Café is a beloved eatery in Milwaukee’s 33rd and Lisbon community. Upon entering the café, patrons are welcomed by the aroma of fresh desserts, delicious quiches and hearty soups. Of course, what would a café be without its irresistible coffee and additional assortments of beverages. Amaranth has made a conscious effort to feature artists from the city of Milwaukee and exclusively employee individuals from the neighborhood and just a little beyond. A staple to those who know it and at the top of the must-try list of those who have yet to savor the homemade delicacies, Amaranth Bakery & Café has a lasting place in the heart of Milwaukeeans.

Photo by Jamie Hollins

Address: 3329 W. Lisbon Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53208 Phone Number: (414) 934-0587

Read more about these art and design destinations at archesnews.com. Please enjoy $20 towards your first haircut and color visit at Shine Salon!

414.763.9498 8851 W. North Ave. www.shinecolorsalon.com

Art 2016 | reMARK

19


FEATURE

Let's Talk Film An informal guide to viewing Words Natalie Guyette | Design Denisse Hernandez

Step One:Choosing a film Is there a question or idea that you are interested in learning more about?

Determine who to go with (optional).

Read reviews such as NY Times or Washington Post.

Do you have any Are you interAre there any book friends with great ested in a film by a adaptations you taste who could foreign would like to see? recommend a film? director?

Watch trailer.

Step two: Viewing Observe details: lighting, costuming, setting..........

6. Existentialism

shot angle, speed of shot, sequence, body language.......

5. Feminist

Tier2

Research genres and subgenres of film.

CC

Timing of music, amount of dialogue

4. Marxist

C

Read synopsis.

E

Choose theater or medium of viewing (library lending, Netflix, etc.).

What are your favorite movies? Who directed them? Do they have other work?

3. Reader/ Response

What are the main ideas of the film? How does that fit with society?

2. Postmodern

Can I apply any theories of criticism?

1. Postcolonial

E Step tHree: Post-Viewing Take a walk.

20

Archesnews.com

Discuss with friends.

Create responsive Research concepts art (poetry, journal, you didn’t art). understand.

Sit on it (reflect).

Consider a second viewing (weeks, months, years later).

ď ¨


* The Times Cinema 5906 W. Vliet St. Milwaukee * Marcus Southgate Cinema 3330 S 30th St. Milwaukee * Landmark Oriental Theatre 2230 N Farwell Ave. Milwaukee * AMC Mayfair Mall 18 Mayfair 2500 N Mayfair Rd. Wauwatosa * Avalon Atmospheric Theatre 2473 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Milwaukee * Landmark Downer Theatre 2589 N Downer Ave. Milwaukee * Fox Bay Cinema Grill Fox Bay Building, 334 E. Silver Spring Dr. Milwaukee * Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse 6823 W. North Ave. Wauwatosa UW-M Union Cinema UW-M Student Union 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. Milwaukee * Purchase tickets in advance at Fandango. com

Philosophy professor Jim Conlon tries to go to the movie theater at least once a week, but not the kind with the tables and waitresses. He expresses clear contempt for the distracting service. “Sometimes students say, ‘Don’t you ever go to movies just for fun?’” Conlon said. “And I say, nobody has more fun at the movies than I do.” While there is no proper way to experience a film, there are different ways you could choose to watch it. Of course, you could find a theater to watch the film or watch it at home. Choosing a Film Conlon, who frequently teaches the Philosophy and Film class, prefers to see a film in theaters unless he’s viewing it for a second or third time. According to Conlon, Milwaukee is a great city for film. The annual film fest brings international attention, the Landmark theaters are great (see sidebar), and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has a great film program that brings in many films to the Union Cinema, open to the public as well. With so many available options, viewers shold consider what they would like to get out of their experience. “I think a lot of people go to the movies for entertainment and that’s fine,” Conlon said. “I don’t. I go to the movies for art... I don’t want (the directors) to be worrying about me. I want them to be telling me something. And that will be my pleasure in a sense.” Serbata Tarrer, a sophomore studying film at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, has been experimenting and creating film since he was 10 years old. He also has a specific type of film he favors, called Mumblecore, a subgenre of film that uses naturalistic acting and aims to represent reality and relationships as they are. “Stories about regular people interest me the most,” Tarrer said. “Stories about stuff that is grounded in real life. I really like films about people that are just talking about average stuff. I like movies where people just hang out and do their day-today things. I really just like how natural things are.” It is good for people to think about what movies they have enjoyed in the past and what elements they have in common in order to seek out other films with similar characteristics. “If a film has more of a tug on my emotions then I’ll like that film more than one I’ll have to analyze,” Tarrer said. “I love films that I have to

analyze and pick apart and put back together also, but at the same time if it can do that and also make me feel something, that’s great.” Of course, every person seeks to find something different, including philosophy professor Austin Reece. He is often interested in films that answer some of the big questions and ideas he obsesses over nightly as a devotee to philosophy and thinking. He likes film that subtly reveals new ideas and truths. “Horace says, ‘A great work of art should both delight and instruct us,’ and I feel like I want both of those things,” Reece said. “I want to be delighted, I want to be entertained, I want it to be fun. But I also want to be challenged, instructed. I want illumination. I want to see something in a new light that I haven’t seen before.” Viewing Outside of purely watching for entertainment, there are other factors including technical, theoretical, cinematographic and directorial aspects to consider while watching a film. Tarrer would like to focus his studies on directorof-photographer work. The role of the director of photography is to be in charge of the visual look of the film behind the camera, including controlling the use of light and the way the frame looks. “I pay attention to cinematography and story and how those go together to create a film,” Tarrer said. Reece takes a more scholarly approach and considers his knowledge of literary criticism and critical thinking skills in order to analyze the film. “There’s a more general method of critical thinking and then sometimes literally trying to apply these famous critical theories to the viewing,” Reece said. “Sometimes it’s useful and I go ‘ahh that’s interesting’ and sometimes I just go ‘just stop thinking and enjoy the film.’” Reece does this, not to make the viewing process difficult, but because he ultimately gains more this way. “Through the critical apparatus, it gives you a few extra tools to think through the complexity of the story, but ultimately I think it should lead to greater access to another person’s experience,” Reece said. “Through that access I feel empathy is at least possible.” Conlon frequently references the history and past methods in film when talking about what he looks at during a film. For one, he spends time looking

Art 2016 | reMARK

21


FEATURE

at the expression of the actors on their faces and in their body discover something new about ourselves or others. language. “I like the word illumination,” Reece said. “Good art should “It’s not by mistake that films began in silence, silent films,” shed light on something. Or we see something in a new light. I Conlon said. “What is so great about silent performers is it had to just love that idea that as smart and as bright as we are sitting be in their features, not in how they were saying it. So it was very here, we just don’t know everything.” visual in terms of looking at their bodies and how expressive are their bodies rather than their words.” Post-Viewing Thoughts Additionally, the technical aspects of a film can control how the viewer feels while watching. Beyond finding a film that is good and enjoying the viewing “In contemporary film, the shot sequence is very quick, so that experience, there are bigger possible takeaways. As a filmmaker, it’s between 10 and 11 seconds usually when they’re changing the Tarrer has developed his own purpose in creating his art to share shot,” Conlon said. “A shot is how long the camera is running be- with the world and ultimately leaving the viewer with something fore you start a new shot. Originally film was just all as well. one shot. They didn’t edit it at all. They just shot it.” “I really like just making people feel a certain Of course as with any art form, we can argue feeling when they watch my movies and using film about what makes a film good. a medium to help people discover something like the word as “A film that I really like I can always take someabout themselves,” Tarrer said. “I really want to thing away from and apply it to my life,” Tarrer said. illumination,” Reece said. motivate people.” “If you can create a world within your film where For Reece, he finds joy in analyzing concepts and “Good art should shed light what the director may be trying to say about them, things feels unique, that’s really good.” Tarrer references director Wes Anderson as such as what is the meaning of love and what is the on something.” someone who is good at creating worlds within his meaning of life. He cues into scenes of monologue films such as “Moonrise Kingdom” or “The Royal for extra clues. Tenenbaums.” He also notes that if a film is really good, he’ll “I’m trying to understand and appreciate diverse points of often have to take a walk after, to think about what he’s just seen. view and fractured narratives,” Reece said. “Because it just seems Conlon, who values the film for the visual experience, added a like the movies I’m drawn to – they’re not always linear, they’re different perspective. not always simple, they’re complicated – but just to be able to “A really good film, if you turned off the sound, should still be experience the world through their experiences. See through their meaningful to you,” Conlon said. “A stage drama, if you were sight.” blind, would still be powerful because I think it is a lot in the As an advocate for post-movie discussion, Conlon points out words and the way the words are delivered. A good film is in the the way a good film can stimulate good conversation. eyes, is in what you see.” “I think movies are more like dreams than other art,” Conlon Reece describes film as one method to develop empathy, where said. “And in some ways, they haunt us the way dreams haunt us. the film experience allows you to understand a point of view you It’s almost as if they give us the chance to study our dreams. But might not normally encounter. The empathy comes in if you learn I also think that because they’re an incredibly popular medium, to respond appropriately in real life situations. they’re great points of talking with people about ideas.” “We know it’s vicarious,” Reece said. “We know it’s simulated, Film is a unique medium of art, in the sense of how it engages but we have that momentary suspension of disbelief and we give its audience. ourselves to the film as if it were real or as if we were experiencing “There’s something particularly emotionally moving about it ourselves.” moving images, so I do think cinema is moving, not just in the By allowing ourselves to be part of the character’s experience, fact that it is physically moving but that that works on the emowe identify with what the character is feeling and potentially tions very directly for us,” Conlon said.

“I

22

Archesnews.com

d


3

WAYS TO SEE COLOR

Words Nhung Nguyen | Design & Graphics Beth Van Hammond | Photos Nhung Nguyen & Denisse Hernandez

Phoenix Ramsdell, a Mount Mary University senior double majoring in art therapy and fine art, sports a satirical baseball cap that declares “Art is Dumb.” “I say it all the time because I get so frustrated by the art world,” Ramsdell said. “One of my favorite artists makes these hats, Penelope Gazin. She’s just a super wild artist. She’s pretty eccentric.” For Ramsdell, art is subjective. “(Art) is so complex … some people want to make a statement, some people want to talk about something, some people just want an emotional connection, some people just do it scientifically or mathematically where they just want to recreate something, like functional art,” she said. Ramsdell’s art is intuitive, often done as an emotional release. For her, color is prevalent in art and has a strong connection to one’s emotions. “I’ve gone through some depressive states throughout my lifetime and so when I find that I am using a lot of blue, that is a little indicative of those feelings,” Ramsdell said. “At this point, I can kind of tell through my art when I am using certain colors what is going on in my head space and to start paying attention to that.”

ply the principles of color within a space. “People will say that babies cry more in yellow rooms ... Yellow is an anxious color,” Szenlinski said. “It makes people have anxiety. I’ve actually experienced that, but it also (depends) how bright of a yellow it is.” Yellow may be linked to anxiety for one person, but that may not be true for another, she said. The way we interpret color is dependent on various factors. It also depends on the tone or intensity and where that color is used. Yellow is not necessarily the wrong color to paint a room, Szenlinski said. She wants us to ask ourselves: “Am I putting (yellow) on an accent piece or am I putting it on all of the walls?” This may make a difference in how we feel about the color. In feng shui, there is more of a focus on the meaning behind the spatial qualities of color, Szenlinski said. Feng shui focuses around five major elements: water, earth, wood, fire and metal. Each element is assigned to a different point of the chart. In turn, the elements and directions are each associated with different feelings and colors. According to Szenlinski, in feng shui there are right colors to use and wrong colors to use, based on their connection to the ele-

How We Process Color “My husband is a firefighter, and he loves the color red because of the fire truck,” said Genevieve Szenlinski, chair of the interior design department at Mount Mary. “When he thinks of red, he thinks of his ‘Big Red.’” Most people have a reason they are drawn to a color, she said. There could be an association with childhood, nature or even an event or object that gives a color a positive or negative connotation. In color theory, she said, there are three different tiers that explain color and our basic understanding of it. The first tier is the science of color: how we physically see color based on the visual light spectrum and the study of the color wheel. The second tier is the meaning behind color, which is the way we interpret colors linked to the emotions we may feel. The third tier is the spatial qualities of color. This is how we ap-

Art 2016 | reMARK

23


FEATURE ments and directions. Following this type of model takes the subjectivity out of designing a room. “When I was doing the feng shui (for a client), we did the different ele-

“If I’m painting with red, it doesn’t mean I’m angry,” Todd said. “It might, but it would have to be something that you’d have to ask the maker, ‘What does anger mean to you?’”

STUDENT VOICESWhat color describes your personality and why?

“I am a calm person in the face of stress or in an ordeal. I am diplomatic and I am a peacemaker. Gray is that color: calming and peaceful.” -Selene Browne, graduate student in the occupational therapy program

ments, the southern element is fire, so we did red and orange – different colors of a flame,” she said. “We decided that we would follow the model quite strongly and quite literally in terms of the spatial qualities of color. If someone would have said, ‘Why don’t we do a green here?’ We can’t do a green here; that does not fit the model. The model is fire. It can only be one of these three or four colors that denote the fire element.” Color in Art Therapy Color has a natural link to emotions, which plays a very important role in art therapy, but how we respond to it differs, according to Melody Todd, assistant professor of art therapy at Mount Mary University. We may find different meanings of color associated culturally, she said, but we shouldn’t just generalize, “This color means this.”

24

Archesnews.com

If the meaning behind color is generalized, it just ends up being our own projection, she said. Often this theory gets simplified into a way of analyzing people through the use of their art. That is not what art therapy is about. “(Art therapy) is my teacher and guide and my connection to the creative spirit,” Todd said. “It connects me to something bigger than myself.” According to Todd, by paying attention in the process of creating art, she can learn from it, look back and reflect. This has taught her how to express feelings that were harder to convey with words. “Personally, I’m using art to know about myself,” Todd said. “It’s similar to meditation, taking the opportunity to look within oneself.” Art therapy is about the relationship we have with ourselves and our art and sharing this with an art therapist, Todd said. An art therapist wouldn’t look at the color someone uses and make an interpretation

“My personality is best represented by the color mauve. It’s happy and feminine without being stereotypically so. It’s also deep and rather elusive - difficult to define, making it dynamic while still aesthetically pleasing.” -Ashley Duncan, sophomore majoring in fashion design

“I would identify myself with the color blue. When I am surrounded by a sea of uncertainty, mishap or disappointment, I tend to seek inner peace. I consider myself to be a spiritual, personable and sincere being just bopping along with other waves.” -Pa Xiong, senior majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry


“I would have to say orange or blue, which is funny because they are opposites or complements. Orange because I associate it with creativity, passion, and uniqueness. Blue because I associate it with contemplation and quietness. I am ambiverted and I think orange goes with my extroverted side and blue goes with my introverted side.” -Mary MigdalGrunow, junior majoring in psychology and minoring in philosophy with a peace building certificate

“The color purple best represents me because it symbolizes the balance of high energy, sometimes stressful red with the calmness of blue. Purple is what I’d like to be, highly productive and energetic but being able to be calm and chill when needed.” -Leah Cashaw, junior majoring in art therapy and minoring in business

“A color that describes my personality is gold. Reminds me that I am a queen and I deserve to respect myself and others.” -Ali Gauden, senior majoring in art education

without engaging the person who made it. He or she would set the stage for someone to be receptive to that process. “As an artist yourself, you know how there are mistakes that happen,” Todd said. “You can accept your mistakes. You can learn to flow with what happens. All of those things are parallel to life.” Color as a Point of Connection According to Todd, therapy implies a developed relationship. Color has healing properties but it is not the only variable to consider when developing this therapeutic relationship. “When you’re in a gallery and surrounded by all kinds of beautiful paintings, you can feel how that

beauty touches your soul,” Todd said. “Color certainly can be healing in that way.” Art can be an avenue of connection and this can also be healing, she said. There are several ways to connect with one’s art: this may be a connection to our inner self, a connection to others, a spirit that guides your life, a connection to the unknown and even the connections to art materials. “I like the materials to create the beginning of what happens, like dropping the paint on there,” Todd said. “I’ll start with an intention and something in mind … so I might choose the colors that feel connected to what

I’m exploring, drop them on and see what happens. I like the idea of being guided by the art.” A much larger connection is being connected to mystery and to the unknown, Todd said. That is an important part of what art teaches and what art therapists help people do. “Be comfortable with the unknown and have faith that if you just keep paying attention, that something will come from that,” Todd said. Color and Chakras Sheri Bauer, creator of Angel Light LLC Center for the Healing Arts in Elm Grove, incorporates color healing in the chakra classes she teaches. According to Bauer, chakra means vortex, or in Hindu tradition, “spin-

ning wheel of light.” A wheel of light is a concentrated spiral of energy that feeds in good energy and eliminates energy waste. This works to maintain energetic balance, she said. Our chakra system connects us to the energetic grid of the universe and beyond, Bauer said. There are seven main chakras that line up from the base of your spine to the top of your head. Each area of the body has a related chakra and each chakra emanates a specific frequency and color, she said. Those frequencies work with our human body, with our organs and glands.

Art 2016 | reMARK

25


FEATURE “The frequency for the color yellow emulates the frequency of the sun and works with the digestive system,” Bauer said. Different colors resonate with different areas of the human body and internal organs and work to heal specific issues that one may manifest, according to Bauer. “That’s the thing about energy, it is changeable and mutable,” Bauer said. “We are different every day of our lives and the colors of our chakras are a reflection of where we are at a current moment in time taking into consideration the health of our body, mind and spirit.”

Study Abroad

Rome018

Costa Rica

January 2018

Photo credit: John

Heyer

Scandinavia Spring 2017

ry 2 Janualick

Photo

: credit

Jill Kil

Email Nan Metzger at metzgern@mtmary.edu for more information. 26 Archesnews.com


Creative Works Design Emily Chapman

Creative Works provides a place for students to showcase their work. We accept all types of artwork, photography, poetry and flash fiction. For full submission guidelines, visit archesnews.com.

Lauren Kidd Lauren Kidd is a senior with a major in fine art. She is graduating this December. Her work is influenced by religious iconography, classic tattoo style and the art nouveau movement. She draws much of her inspiration from artists such as Fred Stonehouse and Shephard Fairey.

Art 2016 | reMARK

Creative Works w bleeds.indd 4

27 12/2/16 11:16 AM


CREATIVE WORKS

Fashion illustration based off of “The Scarlet Letter.”

Fashion illustration based off of “The Catcher in the Rye.”

Samantha Snedeker Samantha Snedeker is a senior majoring in fashion design. These pieces were drawn as a part of her honors contract for her Studies in American Literature class.

Fashion illustration based off of “The Bluest Eye.”

28

Archesnews.com

Creative Works w bleeds.indd 5

12/2/16 11:16 AM


CREATIVE WORKS Megan McGiverin Megan McGiverin is a freshman with a major in fashion design. She fell in love with writing in the third grade and has written endless short stories. She was adopted from Guatemala as a baby in a closed adoption process. “It has been an obstacle I’ve been allowing myself to overcome, dealing with certain emotions that pertain to not knowing about my birth mother,” McGiverin said. “I have found through poetry I am able to express my most raw emotions.”

Esperanza’s Reign

(A poem dedicated and inspired by her birth mother.)

A self-portrait McGiverin created during her senior year of high school.

Eyes bleed The tears that follow In the nights I don’t think I try to understand how to cope with content of the unknown That somewhere others like me, Are out there And I’ve never known a person who looks like me So that’s why I stand in the mirror To witness a woman And I wonder does she miss me? Half of me comes from All of her, And she’s now a disappearing failing memory, Trailing bruises over brittle bones To collapse in a ground And I may never know. And if the blood we share may be our only Then let her reign be known, She will always be Esperanza Hope in the red suns horizon For you my shadow in the night For you an eternal starlight, The scarlet skies never to burn out Hope in my tired eyes Sing me to sleep, lullaby of peace, Guardian angel, red mountain high You’re that piece of me Art 2016 | reMARK

Creative Works w bleeds.indd 6

29 12/2/16 11:16 AM


CREATIVE WORKS

“Intergalactic Thoughts” - acrylic painting

Courtney Lehmann Courtney Lehmann is a junior with a major in fine arts. She plans to graduate sometime in 2018. Her dream is to one day work in creating concept art for video games or special effects for movies and plays. She is inspired by Tim Burton, Guillermo del Toro and Hayao Miyazaki. Her acrylic and watercolor paintings have bright colors and cartoonish appearances, while her sculptures have a more horrific and creepy vibe.

30 Archesnews.com Creative Works w bleeds.indd 7

“Jesting Steel” - mixed media

12/2/16 11:16 AM


PERSPECTIVE

Horsin’ Around Gimme that old-fashioned country music, Johnny

I

Words Shannon Venegas | Design Amanda Cibulka

love to have music with me wherever I go, even when I’m riding my horse. And with a horse whose name is Johnny Cash, how can I resist? Not only is it a good distraction if there is other noise going on around the farm, but it’s fun. And maybe it’s just me being a crazy horse person, but I think my horse likes it, too. Getting the music loud enough while I ride used to be a huge challenge. After years of just turning my phone volume up as high as it would go and barely being able to hear it, the owner of the farm where my horse has been for the last year installed a Bluetooth stereo and connected it to the speakers that were already in the arena. It was like Christmas morning for me. Typically, I just set my phone on shuffle in Pandora, and it sifts through my compilation of country, indie rock and even some classic rock. Country is hands-down my favorite, though. Lately, I have been unhappy with the shuffle through the newer country music. From the “bro country” music of Luke Bryan and Florida Georgia Line to the hip-hop sounds of Sam Hunt, I question whether we can even call this country music anymore. There was a time when country music videos showed a guy in a cowboy hat, strumming his guitar and telling a story about his life. Lately, it’s songs that include more electric than steel guitar; the same old story about guys who can’t wait for Friday nights and alcohol; and the portrayal of country girls in bikini tops, cutoff shorts and cowboy boots. Not exactly how Tanya Tucker and Hank Williams did it.

I get that times change, but I’m a country girl, and I wouldn’t be caught dead walking around like that. You’re more likely to see dirty work boots, T-shirts and jeans on a real farm girl. Thankfully, the atrocity of this new portrayal of country wasn’t completely lost on the industry. Some of the classic country music stars as well as some new ones have voiced their disgust with “bro country.” Even George Strait has complained about getting “Kicked Outta Country” (the title of his new song). One of the new groups, a female duo known as Maddie & Tae, put out a hit song, “Girl in a Country Song,” which called attention to this shift. The music video caught a lot of attention, as it showed the country boys in bikini tops and cutoffs. Not a pretty sight, but point made. A round of applause please for Maddie & Tae. Don’t get me wrong – there is still some great new country music out there. Eric Church’s “Mr. Misunderstood” album is epic, along with Carrie Underwood’s “Storyteller.” Miranda Lambert’s “Vice” is my new favorite song. Tim McGraw also continues to churn out great music. But that didn’t stop me from erasing some of the “new” country music stars from my Pandora shuffle and adding in “1990s Country” and “Classic Country” favorites. After all, how could I ride around on a horse named after one of the greatest country music stars of all time with Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kind of Night” blasting through the speakers? No, Luke, I will not scoot my little hot self over by you.

Art 2016 Art 2016 | reMARK | reMARK 31

31


PERSPECTIVE

A NATIVE VOICE

Appropriate or Appropriation? How to Appreciate and Not Imitate Words Sandrea Smith | Design Nina Kesic

Cultural appropriation can be damaging, and people are fighting against it. Male Grass Dancers - Indian Community School Pow-Wow 1995. Photo provided by Sandrea Smith.

A

s a child I basked in the glory of Walt Disney’s creations. When “Pocahontas” was released in 1995, I remember being excited about the thought that Native Americans finally had representation on the big

screen. Knowing who Pocahontas was from a historical standpoint and how old she actually was (the real Pocahontas was only 10 years old, according to ancient-origins.net), took something away when I watched the movie. It took away from the mystique of talking raccoons and songs referencing being one with nature, as she “changes with all the colors of the wind.” The only thing that brought value to the film for me was the implementation of the “Powhatan” language of the Powhatan tribe of Native Americans. The revival of this extinct language was probably one of the few things that I enjoyed. It still bothers me that Pocahontas was portrayed to be a fully

32

Archesnews.com

developed adult woman who fell in love with John Smith. In this image, the true history of Pocahontas was distorted. The Disney version of her hypersexualizes the Native American woman – from her high-cut, one-shoulder dress to her plunging neckline – all which reinforce the “sexy” Native stereotype. This is cultural appropriation at its finest. What Is Cultural Appropriation? Susan Scafidi, author of “Who Owns Culture? Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law,” writes that cultural appropriation happens when members of the public take, from a culture that is not their own, “intellectual property, cultural expressions or artifacts, history, and ways of knowledge.” According to Scafidi, this is done with the intent to transform cultural products to suit their tastes, express their creativity or simply make a profit.


Cultural appropriation can be damaging, and people are fighting against it. For example, in 2011, members of Ohio University’s student group, Students Teaching About Racism in Society, launched its “We are a culture, not a costume” campaign. Their mission was to raise awareness about the dangers of using racial stereotypes such as Halloween costumes, such as donning a kimono to dress as a geisha or wearing a sombrero to dress as a Mexican. The campaign shed light on how turning culture into a costume can offend others and be perceived as cultural appropriation. Cultural Appropriation vs. Appreciation There are two major factors that I consider when thinking about cultural appropriation versus cultural appreciation: intent and use. There is a difference between honoring a cultural symbol or artifact and using it for personal or institutional gain. Even though the days of cartoons portraying black face characters and yelping warrior Indians clothed in buckskin are over, there needs to be more sensitivity when using cultural symbols, especially when profitable organizations use them as logos. For example, there has been a long-simmering debate about whether professional sports teams should use Native American imagery in their names (think of the Cleveland Indians, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Braves and Chicago Blackhawks). Even when culturally sensitive alternatives are presented, the public is resistant to change. For example, in 2008, graphic Designer Mike Ival, an Ojibwe artist, offered his version of a culturally sensitive Chicago Blackhawks logo. The design includes the same colors as the original logo, but depicts a hawk instead of an Indian man. His version, a literal symbol that utilizes a hawk’s head, went viral and was offered as a suggested replacement of the Chief ’s head symbol for the Chicago Blackhawks. However, it was never picked up. Instead, the logo was sold to the Maplesoft Hawks, a Canadian youth hockey league. I still am offended when I hear people referring to meetings as “pow-wows” or sitting cross-legged as “Indian style.” Given that

most of these terms were used by culturally insensitive adults, it reiterates to me the relaxed approach people take while talking about Native Americans. Part of me understands that there are things that are borrowed, used and given cross-culturally in constructive and positive ways, like gift giving. Gift giving is big within Native American traditions. Gifts that are usually handmade or of your own possession are given to others as a sign of thanks and to honor the receiver. Adorning the gift that was received would not be a form of cultural appropriation, but appreciation. For example, I handcrafted and gifted a pair of earrings to a non-Native friend and when she wears them, it is to appreciate the gift, not to impersonate or mock Native Americans or the Native American culture. The other part of me knows the pain experienced when someone is being insensitive and using things that I, as a Native American, would consider sacred, for purposes other than what is intended. In 2015, there was a very short-lived Instagram page, “Whitegirlsrockheaddresses.” Indian Country Media Network called it the “Most Hated Instagram Page.” While the page was up and running, I was able to see the retweets and images of women who claimed the right of wearing headdress in the name of fashion. It made me livid. Traditionally, in Native American culture, headdresses are predominantly worn by men. To be given a headdress is the highest honor. They are made with feathers that are considered sacred and are given, not bought, sold or worn for purposes of fashion. How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation Fair and accurate representation of Native American culture can be accomplished, but it needs to start with input from those who are being represented. It is very possible that some of the inaccuracies that created backlash and misrepresentation could have been avoided with the consultation of historians and the Tribal people. Disney’s version of Pocahontas’ life was so far removed from the truth that it is offensive to some. Collaboration is essential. With little to no input from those being represented, the likelihood of offending people or possibly misrepresenting them is high. When in doubt, ask. It is better to ask than assume and be wrong. Remember, imitation and appreciation are not the same things. When your intent is to appreciate, there is no room to imitate.

Art 2016 | reMARK

33



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.