TIM PEPPER
Arts & Entertainment Editor
Virginia Wesleyan art faculty members display what they have been working on for students and friends
The faculty/staff art show held on Wednesday, Sept. 5 was a great success. The show allowed for faculty and staff from VWC to display their artistic ability in the Neil Britton Gallery in the Hofheimer Library on campus.
The art show included pieces from many different artistic disciplines including glasswork, ceramics, digital art and painting.
Robin Rogers, glass studio technician at the Chrysler Museum of Art, submitted multiple pieces of glasswork that were created in collaboration with his wife, Julia Rogers, as well as a small team. Rogers called his display “Animalia Fanastica” and described it as an autobiographical work, which illustrated the balance and treatment of food sources in nature. Rogers joined forces with his wife and a crew of glass workers to make a set of glass statuettes that comment on the environment and how humans and animals interact. For example, one piece featured an eagle that seemed to cherish a fish it had caught, which differs from the position of how mankind constantly over fishes and does not cherish their food as an eagle would. The pieces of art were striking and displayed the fragile relationship we as humans have with our food sources and the way that we treat them.
Another piece presented at the show was Cellular Reliquary 2013 by Charlotte Potter, glass studio manager at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Potter describes her work as “a celebration and memorial honoring the relationship of dog and owner.” The display was made as an exploration of cellular structures and incorporated the cremated remains of Potter’s deceased canine.
“This examination of material and form allowed me to continue to actively engage with my lost companion, even in the afterlife,” said Potter. The work was beautiful, and the sentimentality behind it added a depth and meaning that transcends words.
For teachers and faculty members to put their work on display at the college was a little window into the hands behind the faces. Their students are taught by them every class period, but may rarely get to see their personal work. Art shows like this could possibly spring up for different disciplines within the community. Each professor is required to stay active within the field that they represent and teach, and therefore have material that can be shared or put on exhibit, if they so please. To see the work of the teachers students here at Virginia Wesleyan look up to and are taught by would be an interesting experience.
The show had a great turn out and promised good things for the Nomadic Glass glass blowing demonstration that will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during homecoming. The demonstration will include artwork produced by the creative minds at the Chrysler Museum of Art and will act as an advertisement for the Museum as well as for the glass blowing classes now held at Virginia Wesleyan College.
The talent of the teachers is reflected by the students that they mentor and pass their skills and traits on to here at Virginia Wesleyan College.
