Fall 2019/Issue Eight
ALUMNI NEWS Meet The 2019/20 Artists In Residence Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute welcomes the 2019/20 Artists in Residence, Michael Hicks (Photography) and Janet Loren Hill (Painting and Drawing). Both were chosen after an international search to live, work, and teach on the MWPAI/PrattMWP campus for this academic year. Through installation and hybrid object-paintings, Janet magnifies fantasies, censorship, and feminist observations through portraiture. Originally from Wallawalla, Wash., she received her B.F.A. from the University of Washington in painting and drawing with an art history minor, and M.F.A. from Massachusetts College of Art & Design in 2D fine art. Recent residencies include Vermont Studio Center, Wassaic Project, and at the Beijing Royal School in China. Janet teaches PrattMWP freshman students in Light, Color, and Design during the Fall and Spring semesters and Painting Imagined Color to Community Arts Education students. Michael works as a casting director and location scout to capture in his photography what the inner self projects to the outside world. Born in Middletown, NJ, he received his B.A. in political science from Rutgers University and studied documentary photography and multimedia at the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies before pursuing his M.F.A in photography at Syracuse University. Michael was the 2018 High Museum Purchase Award recipient. Michael teaches the PrattMWP sophomore course, Survey of Photography from 1839 to the Present and Digital Photography. He is also teaching the Community Arts Education class, Digital Photography: Portraits of People, which explores topics including approaching strangers, working with models, location scouting, and more to create engaging portraits of people.
“...I purposefully use textile techniques like weaving, knitting, crochet and coiling for their use by feminist activist groups, innate sensuality, and their embodiment of domestic memories....” Janet Loren Hill (Far Left) Janet Loren Hill, No running, boisterous or rough play in the pool area, 2016 oil on fabric and knit wrapped upholstery foam, yarn, string, push pins 22 x 17 x 6 in. (Left) Janet Loren Hill , Back Of Head Color Study #6, 2017 oil on mylar on knit 11 x 8 in.
“One of my spiritual forbears and a huge influence on me has been Rod Serling, creator of The Twilight Zone. It is no coincidence that he is from Central New York....” Michael Hicks
(Right) Michael Hicks, In the Ballroom, 2018 photography, 16 x 20 in. (Far Right) Michael Hicks, At The Lodge, 2018 photography, 16 x 24 in.
About the MWPAI Artists In Residence Program The Artists In Residence Program (AIR) is an education-based residency which invites two emerging artists to live and work on the MWPAI campus in Utica, NY, for nine months. Artists receive support to create and exhibit new artwork, teach community and PrattMWP classes, and design family craft activities for MWPAI programs. AIR programming also includes presenting a public lecture, holding a public open studio event, and designing and implementing accessible community projects at the Museum of Art. Artists receive financial support, housing, meals, studio, and present a twoperson exhibition in the MWPAI Museum of Art PrattMWP Gallery. The 2020/21 AIR application process will open in December 2019. More info about AIR here. Follow @artistresidencymwp on Instagram! The MWPAI Artists in Residence Program is made possible with the generous support of: Francis J. and Ruth A. Pugliese Sunithi S. Bajekal
ALUMNUS PROFILE: ETHAN STUART, 2009 “I grew up in Owego, NY, a small town about two hours south of Utica. I had a relatively standard American upbringing with a decent education, a family business, divorce, etc. I followed my brother’s footsteps by attending PrattMWP and was easily able to carve out my own very personal and enriching experience. I completed the program in 2009 and attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago until 2011. I didn’t quite have the funds to finish, but stayed in Chicago and worked on my practice slowly and immaturely until I picked it up again in 2016. Today, I am in Santa Monica, CA working as a studio assistant for the up-and-coming artist, Simphiwe Ndzube.” - Ethan Stuart How was PrattMWP influential for you in your growth as an artist? It’s all about the faculty. I really looked up to the teachers there. They all seemed to have secrets or keys to greater artmaking. Everything was art first. It was a culture of thoughtfulness. What do you remember as your most notable experience at PrattMWP? One that stands out is the famous sophomore trip with (Professor of Sculpture and 3-D Design) Dan Buckingham. We went to the Albright Knox Art Gallery in
Ethan Stuart Running out of things to shoot, 2019 acrylic on canvas, 18 x 23 in.
Buffalo, NY, Goodyear in Akron, OH and the Braddock Light Show in Braddock, PA, sleeping on studio floors or wherever we could, just to see as much art and life impacted by art as we could. What has been your greatest achievement since leaving PrattMWP? There hasn’t been one single great achievement, I’m just lucky to be surrounded by people I love and making work I care about. What ideas are you exploring with your artwork now? I’m always experimenting with formalism, but the content of my work continues to be more and more autobiographical. I am exploring the truly dramatic events in my life. Our family store has burnt down two separate times, once was due to arson and the other a freak combustion of bags of mulch in the hot sun. I’m trying to ground the drama to my upbringing within the Christian faith, looking at it again as I did when I was young and more religious. Describe the most important “tool” you have in your artist toolbox. Honesty! What is the role of artists today? How will artists today influence the future of the art world and generations to come? I’m not so sure, documented experiences are always helpful to look back on. Carrying the torch of being outwardly creative is important. What is on the horizon for you as an artist? Ethan Stuart Job interview, 2019 acrylic on canvas, 20 x 24 in.
Hopefully, a lot of luck! I’m continuing to apply for residencies and other opportunities. Los Angeles has been an amazing resource so far, but I plan to
move back to New York City soon. The more relationships I make between New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles the better off I seem to be. What advice would you give a student pursuing a career in the arts? Always be making work. Always write about your work. Why is it important for you to stay in contact with your tribe of PrattMWP alumni? How have you been in contact with your fellow alumni? What is your go-to social platform to stay connected? Instagram is always a great tool for visual people. My peers from PrattMWP and I still remain close and plan to meet this summer. Nicole Basilone, who also showed her work at the alumni exhibition, is still a dear friend. We share opportunities with each other often and discuss other work. Follow Ethan Stuart: Website: www.ethanstuart.com Instagram: @ethanjohnstuart
Ethan Stuart The second fire, 2019 acrylic on canvas, 24 x 30 in.
PRECOLLEGE PROGRAM GIVES A GLIMPE OF PRATTMWP LIFE This summer, PrattMWP College of Art and Design welcomed 75 high school students from across the country to campus from July 8 to August 2 for the precollege program, giving them the opportunity to see what it would be like to live and study at the Utica campus. In the four-week program, students concentrated on graphic design, illustration, painting and drawing, and photography. Ending in an one-day exhibition of their work in the School of Art Studio Building. Students who participated in the program earned a certificate of completion and four Pratt Institute–granted credit hours, transferable to most major art and design schools. Our precollege classes are taught by current full-time and adjunct faculty, PrattMWP alumni, and staff. If you are interested in teaching in next year’s summer program, please contact Ken Marchione at kmarchi@mwpai.edu.
ALUMNI FEATURED IN THE MWPAI BIG OL’ STEAMROLLIN’ PRINT INVITATIONAL This summer the sixth annual Big Ol’ Steamrollin’ Print Invitational (affectionately called BOSPI) took place during the MWPAI Arts Festival. Originally inspired by Pratt Institute’s Big Damn Prints event, BOSPI was initiated at PrattMWP by alumna Elise Incze and Community Arts Education and Residency Director Audrey Taylor. During the event, 25 artists were invited to carve large relief blocks, which were then printed under the drum of a 10-ton roller. The completed big prints were shown in a month-long exhibition organized by PrattMWP alumna and Gallery Director Shannon Stockbridge in the PrattMWP Gallery in the Museum of Art. The event was sponsored by Blick Art Materials, Enjem’s Flooring America, S.C.I. Plywood Company, and Oneida County Department of Public Works
Hannah Barley Class of 2016
Alex Compo Class of 2015
Alya Alberico, Class of 2015
Jenna North, Class of 2015
Shannon Stockbridge, Class of 2015
Marc-Anthony Polizzi, Class of 2016
Megan Atkinson, Class of 2016
CELEBRATE OUR PAST, BUILD THE FUTURE GIVE TO THE CENTENNIAL CAMPAIGN Munson-Williams-Proctor Arts Institute was founded in 1919. To celebrate our first 100 Years, MWPAI has launched a Centennial Campaign. The Community Foundation of Herkimer & Oneida Counties is supporting the Institute’s efforts with a challenge grant that matches 50% of the amounts received. Join your friends and support your alma mater! The funds raised will help to create a greener, more beautiful campus. Improved lighting, better wayfinding, signage, and wonderful landscaping via a new campus master plan will inspire our community to become more involved with the arts, and create inviting spaces for students, visitors, and neighbors. Through thoughtful planning and design, MWPAI will strengther connections with people, communities, and art, making the neighborhood more beautiful, and the city more dynamic. You can help: click here https://www.mwpai.org/centennial-campaign or call 315-797-0000, ext. 2297.
Faculty Exhibition News Claudine Metrick, Assistant Professor of Drawing/Painting, had an exhibition, Small and Smaller, at Site:Brooklyn. Here’s a link to the gallery: https://www.sitebrooklyn.com/upcoming Daniel Buckingham, Professor Sculpture and 3-D Design, had two exhibitions in New York State this autumn. A solo exhibition, Enlightenments, at The Other Side, 2011 Genesee Street, Utica NY. Daniel’s sculpture White Wash will be at the Hyde Museum in Glens Falls NY, through December 8 as part of the 2019 Artists of the Mohawk Hudson Region exhibition.
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