Artists will display a quilt as they weave it before attendees' eyes with these rotary sewing machines. Photo by Marysa Burchett
“Walk the walk and talk the talk” is the example that professors of the School of Art and Design set for their students. The Fine Art Museum at Western Carolina University will host an art exhibition and artist talk on Thursday, August 23 from 5 to 7 p.m featuring pieces done by WCU faculty members.
All part- and full-time professors of the School of Art and Design will participate, including Ron Laboray, Phyllis Jarvinen, Richard Tichich, Jon Jicha, Erin Tapley, Susan Martin, Cathy Griffin, Kevin Kirkpatrick, Greg McPherson, Frank Brannon, Matt Liddle, Joan Byrd, and George Rector.
The exhibition will feature various forms of art media, including ceramics, sculpture, painting, drawing, printmaking, installation (performance), book art, photography, graphic design, new media and video.
Former Department Head Richard Tichich will provide the performance piece of the night, entitled “Family Traditions.” He and four others will hang a quilt-esque piece on the wall as they stitch it with Singer and White rotary sewing machines from the 1910s and younger.
Tichich was inspired by his family’s history of quilting, from his mother to his grandmother. He hopes the sight of vintage sewing machines will remind attendees of their own grandmothers sewing or quilting.
Professor Kevin Kirkpatrick will present a sculpture made from found wood. “It is a beautiful leftover resource that is discarded,” he said, explaining that he likes to give wood a purpose. Kirkpatrick describes his work as humorous, playful, and questioning of what art can be.
The exhibition will feature free food and wine for the public. The artwork will remain on display until October 5.
