Carter Art Center Gallery Director receives praise for exhibit

Carter Art Center Gallery Director Bernadette Torres presented some of her ceramic pieces in "Nature as Muse" exhibit at the Blue Gallery.

Several ereview.org art critics complimented her work in their reviews of the First Friday opening and follow-up coverage of the show.

More than 300 attend MCC-Penn Valley graphic design exhibit

Family members celebrate the portfolio viewing of a Penn Valley graphic design student.

Parents are amazed at the extensive portfolio their son created during the school year.

More than 300 attendees participated in the first-ever Graphic Design Student Portfolio Exhibit last week at the Carter Art Center at MCC-Penn Valley. Most participants were family members of the 21 graduating students presenting portfolios of artwork completes during the school year.

Instructors Darlene Town, Mary Beth Moley and many other past and present art instructors of MCC were also in attendance last Friday night and looked on with pride as they greeted parents.

The exhibit will run daily through May 13 from 1 to 5 p.m.

MCC-Penn Valley students awarded scholarships at annual show & sale

The Friends of the Carter Art Center Gallery continued the proud tradition of awarding scholarships to MCC-Penn Valley students whose works were displayed in the annual art show & sale.

Chris Spear is proud to receive a $300 scholarship for his work "Coffee Work."

MCC-Penn Valley to host annual graphic design and digital prepress fair

The MCC-Penn Valley Art Department is hosting its Graphic Design and Digital Prepress Career and Internship Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 6 in the Carter Art Center.

This annual event invites area high school art students and area college art students as they talk with recruiting colleges who present their graphic design and digital prepress programs as well as guest speakers who discuss the hot trends of these industries and coach students in preparing for careers in these fields. As an added bonus, college graphic design students can have their portfolios reviewed by industry pros who volunteer their time. See schedule below:

This departmental initiative supports students in their career pursuits in the arts. The event grows and evolves each year and receives strong support from the other college programs and the industry members.

Transitional Dimensions exhibit closing on Friday

There are only a few days left to check out this interactive art exhibit at the MCC-Penn Valley Carter Art Center. To see what you've been missing, watch the video above.

The exhibit explores the concept of depth within space that is both real and suggested, done by three local artists. Patrons will experience a range of two-dimensional paintings with dramatic architectural space, constructional textual collages, high-relief sculptural paintings, and three-dimensional constructions. The artists, Steve Mayse, Ellen Wilkins Wolf and Sandra Van Tuyl, have a combination of multiple art and educational awards in their professional fields, both nationally and internationally.

The exhibit will run through March 4, Tuesdays-Fridays, 1 to 5 p.m.

For more information on “Transitional Dimensions” exhibit, go to www.mcckc.edu/pvart or call 816.604.4ART (4278).

Enjoy "Transitional Dimensions" on first friday

We're just a few days away from the opening day of “Transitional Dimensions,” the next exhibit show at the Carter Art Center at MCC-Penn Valley. The exhibit will open Feb. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 3201 Southwest Trafficway. An artist talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. The show will be sponsored by the Friends of the Carter Art Center.

This exhibit will explore the concept of depth within space that is both real and suggested.

Through the works of three local artists patrons will see a range of two-dimensional paintings with dramatic architectural space, constructional textual collages, high-relief sculptural paintings, and three-dimensional constructions. The artists, Steve Mayse, Ellen Wilkins Wolf and Sandra Van Tuyl, have a combination of multiple art and educational awards in their professional fields, both nationally and internationally.

The exhibit will run until March 4 Tuesdays-Fridays 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays Noon-3 p.m.

For more information on “Transitional Dimensions” exhibit, go to www.mcckc.edu/pvart or call 816.604.4ART (4278).

Ellen W. Wolf’s works to be featured in “Transitional Dimensions” exhibit at Carter Art Center

Award-winning 2D and 3D artist Ellen Wilkins Wolf is one of three local artists whose works will be featured in “Transitional Dimensions,” an exhibit that explores the concept of depth within space that is both real and suggested. The exhibit will open Feb. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Carter Art Center at MCC-Penn Valley, 3201 Southwest Trafficway. An artist talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. The show will be sponsored by the Friends of the Carter Art Center.

The exhibit will run until March 4 Tuesdays-Fridays 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays Noon-3 p.m.

Wolf,tenured associate professor of art from Northern Arizona University, retired and relocated to Kansas City to be closer to family.

She exhibited extensively in the Southwest and was honored with a cultural exchange traveling exhibit to Mexico.

Her gallery representation included The Elaine Horwitch Gallery in Sedona, AZ, Old Town Gallery in Flagstaff, AZ and The Edith Lambert Gallery in Santa Fe, NM.

During her teaching career she received numerous honors and awards, including outstanding educator awards in both Kansas and Arizona. Recently, she taught art history and studio courses at MCC-Penn Valley, hosted a monthly artists’ group in her studio, gave artist talks to local organizations, taught workshops on mixed media and collage and showed her work in numerous juried, solo and group exhibitions.

This past summer she was honored with a solo exhibition in the Regional Gallery of the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. A charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, she served as a board member of the local chapter 2003-2009.

For more information on “Transitional Dimensions” exhibit, go to www.mcckc.edu/pvart or call 816.604.4ART (4278).

Steve Mayse’s works to be featured in “Transitional Dimensions” at Carter Art Center

Steve Mayse is one of three local artists whose works will be featured in “Transitional Dimensions,” an exhibit that explores the concept of depth within space that is both real and suggested. The exhibit will open Feb. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Carter Art Center at MCC-Penn Valley, 3201 Southwest Trafficway. An artist talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. The show will be sponsored by the Friends of the Carter Art Center.

The exhibit will run until March 4 Tuesdays-Fridays 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays Noon-3 p.m.

Sandra Van Tuyl’s works to be featured in “Transitional Dimensions” exhibit at Carter Art Center

Sandra Van Tuyl is one of three local artists whose works will be featured in “Transitional Dimensions,” an exhibit that explores the concept of depth within space that is both real and suggested. The exhibit will open Feb. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Carter Art Center at MCC-Penn Valley, 3201 Southwest Trafficway. An artist talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. The show will be sponsored by the Friends of the Carter Art Center.

The exhibit will run until March 4 Tuesdays-Fridays 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays Noon-3 p.m.

A professional artist for the past 14 years, and a Kansas City native, Sandra Van Tuyl uses structures and deserted urban spaces to create emotional language. These dreamlike paintings have been accepted to regional exhibitions throughout the Midwest - from the Williams Wood University in Fulton, Missouri to the Salina Art Center and the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Carter Art Center to explore “Transitional Dimensions”

The Carter Art Center at MCC-Penn Valley will present “Transitional Dimensions,” an exhibit that explores the concept of depth within space that is both real and suggested. The exhibit will open Feb. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. at 3201 Southwest Trafficway. An artist talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. The show will be sponsored by the Friends of the Carter Art Center.

Through the works of three local artists patrons will see a range of two-dimensional paintings with dramatic architectural space, constructional textual collages, high-relief sculptural paintings, and three-dimensional constructions. The artists, Steve Mayse, Ellen Wilkins Wolf and Sandra Van Tuyl, have a combination of multiple art and educational awards in their professional fields, both nationally and internationally.

The exhibit will run until March 4 Tuesdays-Fridays 1 to 5 p.m. and Saturdays Noon-3 p.m.

About the artists
Steve Mayse
An alumnus of the University of Central Missouri where he graduated in art education and design, and the University of Kansas where he earned an M.F.A. with honors in design, Steve Mayse brings over 35 years of practical experience to his teaching at the Kansas City Art Institute. His corporate client list included among others Sports Illustrated, Arthur Anderson, Chevron, McDonald’s, American Airlines, Cessna, Sprint, Cerner and many others. His editorial clients included The Los Angeles Times, magazines: Cable in the Classroom, Physician, Ingram’s, Vision, Emerge and others.
His work has received numerous awards for excellence from the 3-Dimensional Art Directors and Illustration Awards Show in New York, the Society of Illustrators in New York and Los Angeles, the Kansas City Art Director’s Award Show and the Addy Awards.

He has served as a visiting artist at the State University of New York, the University of Kansas, University of Central Missouri, Northwest Missouri State University, Monash University in Melbourne, Australia and at the International School in Prague, the Czech Republic. His work has been included many times in juried fine art exhibitions and solo exhibitions nationally and regionally.

Sandra Van Tuyl
A professional artist for the past 14 years, and a Kansas City native, uses structures and deserted urban spaces to create emotional language. These dreamlike paintings have been accepted to regional exhibitions throughout the Midwest - from the Williams Wood University in Fulton, Missouri to the Salina Art Center and the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Her paintings have also been in individual and group shows, including the Late Show, Leedy-Voulkos, and the Kansas City Artist Coalition, as well as many corporate headquarters. She has paintings purchased by Sprint and other corporations and individuals from Palm Springs to Chicago.

Sandra has also had public art installed in Blue Springs and Jefferson City, Missouri. She is the recipient of an ArtKC Fund Inspiration Grant for her public work.

Ellen W. Wolf
Award winning 2D and 3D artist Ellen W. Wolf retired from Northern Arizona University as a tenured Associate Professor of Art and relocated to Kansas City to be closer to family. She exhibited extensively in the Southwest and was honored with a cultural exchange traveling exhibit to Mexico. Her gallery representation included The Elaine Horwitch Gallery in Sedona, AZ, Old Town Gallery in Flagstaff, AZ and The Edith Lambert Gallery in Santa Fe, NM. During her teaching career she received numerous honors and awards, including Outstanding Educator Awards in both Kansas and Arizona. Recently, she has taught art history and studio courses at MCC-Penn Valley, hosted a monthly artists’ group in her studio, given artist talks to local organizations, taught workshops on mixed media and collage and shown her work in numerous juried, solo and group exhibitions. This past summer she was honored with a solo exhibition in the Regional Gallery of the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. A charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts, she served as a Board Member of the local chapter from 2003 to 2009.

For more information on “Transitional Dimensions” exhibit, go to www.mcckc.edu/pvart or call 816.604.4ART (4278).

Final showing of KCAI 125th exhibit in Carter Art Center Gallery

Today is the final day of “In The Moment” exhibit commemorating the Kansas City Art Institute’s 125th anniversary. The grand finale showing will begin at 1 p.m. in the Carter Art Center Gallery at MCC-Penn Valley. An artist’s talk will begin at 6 p.m. Curator Heather Lustfeldt will share why she selected the pieces. Artists will also share their inspiration for creating the works.

KCAI exhibit at Carter Art Center featured in The Kansas City Star

There's lots of buzz accompanying the new exhibit at the Carter Art Center. "In The Moment" celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Kansas City Art Institute with lots of eye-catching, multimedia works.

Today's issue of The Kansas City Star gave readers a glimple into what to expect at the innovative show that kicks off tonight with preview and reception hosted by the Friends of the Carter Art Center.

Click here to read the article

"In The Moment" runs tomorrow until Dec. 4. For more information, click here.

KCAI 125th anniversary exhibit coming to Carter Art Center

Left to right: Curator Heather Lustfeldt and Carter Art Center Gallery Director Bernadette Torres hang one of the pieces to be featured in "In The Moment."

The Kansas City Art Institute is commemorating its 125th anniversary with an exhibit in the Carter Art Center.

"In the Moment" celebrates the anniversary of the Kansas City Art Institute with an exciting exhibition featuring work by 19 KCAI alumni who span generations, media, concepts and style. Drawing, digital media, painting, performance, photography, sculpture and site-specific installations will be featured by the following artists: Audra Brandt, Marcus Cain, Cody Critcheloe, Leo Esquivel, Ari Fish, Archie Scott Gobber, Rachel Hayes, Robert Heishman, Seth Johnson, Ke-Sook Lee, Nathan Mabry, Megan Mantia, Archer Prewitt, Eric Von Robertson, Eric Sall, Jesse Small, Jaimie Warren, Susan White and James Woodfill.

The exhibit will open Nov. 5 and last until Dec. 4. For more information, go to
http://mcckc.edu/pennvalley/art/

Award-winning artist Rita Blitt donates original pieces to MCC-Penn Valley

Carter Art Center Gallery Director Bernadette Torres beams proudly following the installation of Rita Blitt's "New Beginnings."

Famed artist Rita Blitt's painting "New Beginnings" was recently installed on the east wall of the Carter Art Center (CAC) at MCC-Penn Valley. The 108" x 56" original oil painting is one of several original pieces donated to the campus by the artist.

Other works include "The Sense of the Sublime," a stainless steel wall sculpture, is outside the main conference room in the Education Center (EC).

Another 5-piece artwork will also be displayed in the EC as well.

Blitt is an award-winning painter, sculptor and filmmaker whose works celebrate her love of nature, music, dance and the spontaneous flow of movement captured in the drawn gesture.

Friends of the Carter Art Center covered the expenses of the covering of the oil canvas and name plates for all donated pieces.