Nov. 15 – Jan. 11 in the Hofheimer Library Art Gallery.
By Christina Lipuma
"Two," a water color painting by Ryan Jones '99.
If diversity of art is what you are looking for, look no further than "Artists Return: Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Art Exhibition," on display in the Hofheimer Library Art Gallery.
From the class of '75 to the class of '05, these artists come from all backgrounds, create works in all media and have submitted artwork from Virginia Beach to as far as Guam. Virginia Wesleyan College is proudly housing the artwork of a dozen Alumni who have returned to campus to share their vision with the community. Works exhibited range from the eccentric archetypal character sculptures of Ben Harris '92 to the colorful water color paintings of Ryan Jones '99.
"The Story Teller" by Ben Harris '92.
Harris, who double majored in LAMP and art, said his experience at Virginia Wesleyan taught him to take a broad view and consider many ideas. "This world view is reflected in all aspects of my life, especially in my artwork, where a liberal arts philosophy continues to guide my process. As I wire, screw, and nail together the thrift store finds, costume jewelry, and plastic toys that make up my figures, I'm also trying to reconcile archetypal imagery with the absurd and surrealistic sensibilities of Dada. I hope they come together and make an ironic, but lighthearted, statement about our culture. I'm trying to show that even in a world buried in mass reproduced disposable junk, deeper structures exist within us as humans. It's those deeper structures, like Jungian archetypes or religious faith, that tie us together. Virginia Wesleyan gave me the intellectual and artistic foundations to make that discovery."
Curator Robyn Bailey '98 said the exhibition is one way for artists to re-connect with the College. "Most of us are excited to go back to our Alma Mater," said Bailey. "It is really a compliment to our instructors and mentors such as Barclay Sheaks, Joyce Howell, Neil Britton, Phillip Guilfolye, and others that so many are excited to come back."
Chalk painting by Nancy Dooley '00.
"Artists Return: Virginia Wesleyan Alumni Art Exhibition" is the first of its kind for alumni of the art program. Participating alumni artists include: Will Corr '94, William Lingo '03, Susan Heslop Jones '75, Ryan Jones '99, Nancy Dooley '00, Beverley Mayfield '99, Nicholas Bottis '98, Catherine Hodil '98, Greg Jackson '05, Christine Kocen Harris '92, Robyn Bailey '98 and Benjamin Harris '92.
Lingo, a former men's lacrosse player and also an art major, showcases four animal sculptures, including two ducks, he created from a chuck of alabaster. "My inspiration for my artwork primarily comes from where I live, on the water," he said.
Bailey hopes the Art Alumni Exhibition will promote interested as a whole in the art program at Virginia Wesleyan. "The most important thing is to get an increased interest in the program," she said.
The exhibition will run through Friday, Jan. 11, 2008, and will be open during normal library hours. View the library's hours of operation.
For more information, contact Assistant Professor of Art John Rudel at 757.455.3257 or jrudel@vwc.edu.
11.21.07