MCC-Maple Woods student speaks through art

Communication is part of everything we do, whether it’s school, work or play. There are as many different brands of communication as there are people, and for Shawnie Peck, a sophomore at MCC-Maple Woods, it’s art.

A lifetime native of Lawson, Mo., Shawnie was diagnosed with autism when she was four years old, and didn’t utter a word until she was almost five. Her parents worked with her throughout her childhood, through school and even through college at Maple Woods, where she is working on a certificate in graphic design.

Shawnie’s passion for art is often combined with her other passion: horses.

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.

Summer exhibit to open at MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center gallery

Metropolitan Community College-Longview is proud to present an exhibit of works from several of Kansas City’s up-and-coming artists.

This unique exhibit, The Presentation Imperative, at the MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center gallery will showcase works of art that examine the construct of institutions and social/cultural structures. 

“In each work, the physical presence of the depicted image is not only understood by it’s physical weight but also by its visual reception, which is ultimately tied to its context,” gallery curator Daniel Reneau said.  

The exhibit will open with a reception on Friday, June 24, where the artists will answer questions and talk about each of their pieces.

Artists included: Brandon Briscoe, Todd Christiansen, Peter Granados, Blake Sidebottom, Jaclyn Senne, Kate Smithson and Elizabeth Woodfill

The Presentation Imperative

June 24 – July 30

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, Noon – 4 p.m.

MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

Opening Reception:

June 24, 5 – 8 p.m.

The MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

New artwork fills the MCC-Longview Community Education office

Joining the Lotus Box kite already hanging in the office, six new pieces of art were installed Wednesday in the MCC-Longview Community Education office.

The pieces are beautiful reprints of photos taken from the 2011 and 2010 Flights of Fancy kite festivals including the massive Manta Ray kite (which is the size of a basketball court) and the three-story-tall purple and white windsock.



Since Community Ed. is the main office that plans and manages the annual kite festival it seemed natural to decorate the walls with photos from this fun event.

Stop by the Longview Community Education office to take a look at the new additions.

The photos were taken by MCC-Longview Public Relations Coordinator Mike Ekey, Community Education Coordinator Rich Ritter and  Flights of Fancy volunteer Brandon Schultz.

A HUGE thanks to the MCC Print Shop for helping with this project and creating the amazing prints for our office art addition.

VIDEO: MCC-Longview Faculty art exhibit

The MCC-Longview Faculty Art Exhibit wrapped up this past week, but the artists and minds behind some of the creations will still be on campus inspiring new artists to follow in their footsteps.

 Check out the video from the exhibit and see for your self.

MCC employee develops new talent

Peoplesoft applications developer Alicia Lawlor recently decided to take advantage of one of the many cultural opportunities Kansas City has to offer. A few months ago, she enrolled in a pastel class offered at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Now, her completed work is on display at the Nelson through June.

“The class was very rewarding to me – good for my soul,” said Lawlor.

Students not only learned different techniques of pastel drawing, but also studied art by some of the masters to get inspiration.

Her son Ryan, age eight, is pretty excited his mom has art on display. “We are going to take the next art class together,” Lawlor said.

What do you do outside of MCC? Let us know.

MCC-Longview Faculty Art Exhibit Reception TONIGHT

Opening Reception

March 25, 5-8 p.m.

MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

The MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center is proud to present the work of our art faculty in the 2nd Metropolitan Community College-Longview Art Faculty Exhibit.

Tonight you can meet with those faculty members and artists who have help make this show such a success.

“We’re very fortunate to have with us an exemplary group of instructors who are not only excellent educators but also artists and designers active in their own practices as well,” said Daniel Reneau, MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center gallery curator.

The exhibit runs through April 23. There will be a reception with the artists on March 25 from 5-8 p.m.

The gallery hours are 12-4, Wed.–Sat. and is located at 500 SW Longview Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081

MCC-Longview Faculty Art Exhibit

Gallery Days and Hours: Wednesday - Saturday 12-4 p.m.

Artist featured are: Jay Hunt, Amy Kephart, Kim Lindaberry, Nancy Morrison, Sydney Pener, Daniel Reneau, Scott Seebart, Jim Smith, Susan Speck and Dee Washer

"Going to Bed Hungry": Art installation by MCC-Blue River student Mary Braun



"Going to Bed Hungry" created by Mary Braun



Metropolitan Community College-Blue River students and staff recently had the opportunity to view an insightful artwork installation entitled “Going to Bed Hungry,” which was created by artist Mary Braun, an MCC-Blue River student, specifically for the campus. The interview below delves into the ideas behind the installation and the meaning of various aspects of Mary Braun's creation.

MCC-BR: Will you tell me about the inspiration for your recent installation project entitled “Going to Bed Hungry”? What made you want to make an artistic statement about hunger?

Mary Braun: It was just a stunning figure. From the world I'm in to finding [800,000,000] people... People talk about statistics and how many people die from this or that per minute... and in a way I think that those kinds of statistics and that kind of information is supposed to alert us to the information in some way—to make us not just be aware, but to make something else happen in us. But I don't think that kind of information really ever does that. It's there, and we think about it maybe for a few minutes. What does that do for the rest of our life? Is there any way that these statistics motivate us to do anything else?

MCC-BR: They've lost their shock value.

MB: Yeah. So 800,000,000 people going to bed hungry every day just seems very vivid to me. You can picture going to bed. I can picture going to bed, maybe hungry. But when you think of

Artist to gift sculpture at gala

When representatives from the Francis Family Foundation are awarded MCC’s highest honor at this month’s Five Star Gala, they won’t be presented with a run-of-the-mill trophy or plaque; they will receive a one-of-a-kind work of art.

Kansas City artist E. Spencer Schubert has crafted a unique sculpture to be given as this year’s Five Star Award, a tradition that carries over from last year’s inaugural gala when renowned artist Rita Blitt crafted a metal sculpture to honor Henry Bloch and the Bloch Scholars program.

“With such an array of talented artists in Kansas City–many with a connection to MCC–we saw a unique opportunity to showcase that talent while providing our Five Star honorees with a truly one-of-a-kind token of our appreciation,” said Jackie Snyder, MCC chancellor emeritus, who, together with Foundation Director Vince Anch, hatched the idea to highlight local art in this way.

And this year, the artist and the honoree have a special connection that adds even more meaning to the sculptor's gift: Schubert himself has benefitted from the Francis Family Foundation’s benevolence. He is a graduate of the Arts Incubator, a local business incubator for artists that is partially funded by the foundation. Schubert says he is honored to give back to the organization through the gift of this original sculpture, which is based on the logo of the Francis Institute for Child and Youth Development that the Francis Family Foundation co-founded at MCC-Penn Valley.
Schubert holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in sculpture from the University of Kansas, where he launched an exhibition schedule that has taken him throughout the Midwest. Recent exhibitions include:

• Yankton River Walk, Public Art Exhibition; Yankton, South Dakota (2011)
• Art in R Park, Public Art Exhibition; Roeland Park, Kansas (2010)
• 64 Arts National Juried Exhibition, Buchanan Center For The Arts; Monmouth, Illinois (2010)
• Fall Group Show, Leopold Gallery; Kansas City, Missouri (2009)
• Solo exhibition, Goppert Gallery, University of St. Mary; Leavenworth, Kansas (2009)
• Small Works, Cocoon Gallery; Kansas City, Missouri (2008)
• Solo exhibition: avoidance, Plenum Space; Kansas City, Missouri (2008)

In addition to his fine-art sculpture work, Schubert owns E.S. Schubert Commercial Sculpture Studios, a 3-D fabrication studio in Kansas City’s West Bottoms industrial district. He has served as a guest lecturer for the sculpture program at his alma mater, KU, and has led workshops and panels on a number of arts-related topics. He has won several awards, including the 2008 ArtsKC Fund Inspiration Grant from the Metropolitan Arts Council of Kansas City.

To see a sample of Schubert’s work, join us for the 2011 Five Star Gala, where his original sculpture will be unveiled and presented to the Francis Family Foundation. Regularly priced tickets are $250 each and reduced-price tickets for employees are $100. The event, on Thursday, March 31, will be held at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown–Muehlebach Tower. For more information about the gala or to purchase tickets visit the Five Star Gala web site.

Discover the World: Japan @ MCC-Longview

It was a night of performances that were rhythmic and powerful as the MCC-Longview Discover the World international art series opened once again for a stunning look into the art and culture of Japan.

Inviting Japanese Drummers and musicians, the MCC-Longview Cultura Arts Center offered an exciting look into old customs and rituals as performed by area residents.

For more photos from the evening, be sure to swing by the MCC-Longview photo blog.

MCC-Maple Woods in the News!

John Sutton III, lead public safety officer at MCC-Maple Woods and resident artist in the Kansas City Arts Incubator, was recently featured on NBC Action News!

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).

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.

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).

MCC-Longview student ready to display her art for the first time

Seok Wei Chew displays some of the early pieces from her scuplture 'Relationship' that will be on display in the MCC-Lognview Library starting next week.

MCC-Longview student Seok Wei Chew loves using colors in her art projects. To her, the color is more than just something that fills in the white spaces on a canvas.

For Chew, using color in a painting or a sculpture is like casting the right actor in a play. They way it works with the other colors and interacts with the viewer is just as important as how looks.

“I was totally attracted by the color wheel the first time I saw it,” she said. “And that is the beginning that inspired me to produce colorful art work.”

It was also the inspiration for her most recent piece of work, ‘Relationship’, that will be on display in the MCC-Longview Library for much of November and December.

Although it is her first showing and her first sculpture project, Chew said she is excited for the opportunity to display what she calls an expression of her love for color.

In her proposal to the library administration she wrote: “Can you imagine a world without colors? It will be boring and lifeless. Color is powerful. Color can attract or repel. It contains emotion.”

“She is a great student and I am excited to see her excel in her work,” art instructor Kim Lindaberry said. “I am interested to see where she goes next.”

Chew is in her second year of art classes with MCC-Longview and hopes to transfer to continue her art education after this year. Ultimately, she said, she hope that one day she can design furniture – very colorful furniture.

'Relationship'

On display at the MCC-Longview Library

Nov. 17 - Dec. 8

Bring your artwork to new heights - contest

Are you interested in entering an art contest that could take your artwork or photograph to new heights? The Missouri Department of Transportation is hosting an art contest to find a winning design or photo to grace the cover of its 2011-2012 Aeronautical Chart.

College art students are encouraged to enter airport-related photographs or artwork in any medium. The winning submission will be printed on the chart and about 15,000 will be distributed to airports, legislators, Departments of Transportation, universities and science museums. Plus, it will be a great addition to the winner’s portfolio.

Contest Information
Deadline:
Entries must be postmarked or emailed by Friday, December 10, 2010. Mail to: Bryant Walker
P.O. Box 270
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Email: Bryant.walker@modot.mo.gov
Theme:
There is no defined theme. Content is expected to relate to general aviation airports.
Eligibility:
All age groups are encouraged to participate in the contest, even if they are related to officials or employees of the state of Missouri. Participation in the state contest is not limited to residents of Missouri.

Rules

Format:
The required format is 5.5 x 12 in or 140 x 305 mm or the nearest possible equivalent. Artwork must NOT be framed or outlined with borders. Artwork may be in color or in black and white. Copies of original art may be submitted for judging. Original art will only be required for winning entry. Art will be accepted as original work or file on CD sent through the mail, or file sent by email.
Content:
Artwork should include “Missouri” as well as “2011-2012 Aeronautical Chart” and be airport related. Multiple entries will be accepted.
Medium:
Any media is permitted including:
Photography, watercolor, acrylic, oil paint, indelible marker pens, felt-tip pens, soft ball-point pens, indelible ink, Crayola, pencil, charcoal or other non-permanent medium may be used; computer-generated artwork is permitted; collage work involving the use of photocopies is permitted.
Markings:
The following details should be included with the art:
Title, name, address, and statement of authenticity.
Reproduction Rights:
Once received, entries will become and remain the property of the state of Missouri and may be used for a variety of purposes.

PHOTOS: Kathy Disney talks about her photography from Haiti

Kathy Disney's photography exhibit at the MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center will be on display until Nov. 20.

On Friday she took the time to talk about her exhibit and shared some the emotional moments that went into capturing some of the eye-opening photos she has on display.



For more photos from the event and to see some of Disney's art, be sure to check out the MCC-Longview Flickr page.

Kathy Disney lecture TONIGHT at MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

Artist reception and lecture

Friday, Oct. 29

5-8 p.m.

MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center

Lecture begins at 6 p.m.

Don't miss this unique opportunity to hear photographer Kathy Disney talk about her latest project at the MCC-Longview Cultural Arts Center.

The Ties That Bind is a rare look into what it is means to live and grow in a nation with such a storied history. As a photographer, Disney was able to capture those moments in her subjects’ lives that can tell a story beyond a single image.


Haiti is only 90 minutes by air from Miami and an average Haitian family lives on less than $300 a year - that is $1.22 a day for a family. They have two sets of clothes, one for everyday and one for Sundays and eat only one meal a day. When you have so little, there is no pretense, no ego, they stand before the world and say here I am.

“I looked into their eyes and into their souls and realized that what I was witnessing was the string of humanity that ties us all together as brothers and sisters on this earth,” Disney said of her exploration and work. “For that I am eternally grateful and blessed. This trip changed my life before I ever left.”

Along with a month-long exhibit, Disney will also speak about her working and experience in Haiti at an artist’s reception on Oct. 29. You are invited to hear the stories behind the photographs.



MCC-Longview: Did you know?

In the September issue of Kansas City Spaces, writer Maureen Sullivan writes about Kansas City artist and entrepreneur Stretch.

Stretch is know around metro for his Crossroads restaurants, Grinders and Grinders West, and the Crossroads outdoor music venue. But Stretch started as (and still this day is) a nationally recognized artist and sculptor.

But did you know one of Stretch's earlier works is located on the MCC-Longview campus? Between the Campus Center and the Liberal Arts building stands one of Stretch's works, "Passage of Knowledge." A photo of the sculpture was included in the magazine.

Check out the profile in this months Kansas City Spaces and stop by campus to see a one-of-a-kind piece of 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.