Thursday, January 31, 2013

The Results Are In


Congratulations to the six finalists of the AICUO Award for Excellence in the Visual Arts competition! We are very proud to present the following students. Throughout their academic career, they have gone above and beyond expectations both inside and outside of the classroom, pursuing projects that exhibit their creativity and critical perspective. Twenty students were nominated from their institutions, and twelve professors from AICUO member institutions reviewed their work, grading their online portfolio on technical proficiency, originality, creativity, and individual voice. These six artists’ scores were the highest, and they will now move on to the 2nd Jury Round to see who will be the 2013 Grand Award Winner. Good luck Finalists! Thank you to all of the students and faculty members who have thus far participated in the competition.

You can view all of the finalists’ work on our Art Awards Website, where you can also vote for your favorite nominee for the People’s Choice Award!

Ashton Saunders
University of Rio Grande
Chelsea Flowers
Denison University
Evan Lolli
College of Mount St. Joseph
 Matthew Gallagher
Oberlin College
Markia Wright
University of Rio Grande
Nick Blanzy
Marietta College


Our sponsor list has been updated for the 2013 EVAs! Please look on our blog or website under “support” to see who has helped make our program possible for these students thus far.

Here are a few events for February around the visual art communities of Ohio:




Thursday, January 17, 2013

Otterbein, OWU, Toledo, and Lourdes Start Off New Semester with Art

Many events flooded the AICUO EVA inbox throughout the holidays and into the new semester. As students return for Spring 2013, here are some events, exhibits, and notable artwork being shown at Ohio institutions.

Ohio Wesleyan University
Ross Art Exhibit displays Barry Gunderson, artist and professor at Kenyon College
January 15th-February 17th
Sculpture shown looks over a collection of  UMOs (Useless Metal Objects). Gunderson has created 50 of these pieces, and this is the first time that they will all be displayed in the same exhibit. His inspiration? "It's a geographical and mental journey." He has created works from his many travels, including England, France, throughout the Midwest, as well as his own fantastical dreamland.
To view Barry Gunderson's artwork, visit the Ross Art Museum in Delaware, Ohio. Open Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, and Sunday. 
You can also view his work on his website, http://www.barrygunderson.com/umos.html

Gunderson has taught at Kenyon College since 1974. He lives and works in Gambier, Ohio.


Lourdes University and The University of Toledo-National Art Contest!!!!

"Justice Through Our Eyes"-a feature of the Fourth National Restorative Justice Conference
The conference will be held at the UT Medical Center June 19-21 and will bring 500 leading international academics, practitioners, and activists in the fields of restorative and racial justice together as they focus on "Keeping It Real-Race and Restorative Justice."

The Art Contest is a new component, designed to capture the essence and should of justice in its truest form through the eyes of our youth. Students from Kindergarden-8th grade, High School, and undergraduates are asked to submit work that answers the question, "What Does Justice Mean to Me?"

Entries accepted now-March 15th. Artwork can be any medium, but needs to be uploaded in jpeg of gif at www.lourdes.edu/restorativejustice. There is no fee to enter, and you can enter as many times as you wish. Program is open to students worldwide.

The two winning artists will receive $500 Visa gift card. Winning entries will be posted online. 

see www.restorativejusticenow.org for more details.

Otterbein University Spring Art Exhibit Schedule is posted!!!!


Come see artwork of many colors, kinds, and areas of expertise at Otterbein's three galleries.

Leslie H. and Ethyl Rose Miller Gallery
Now-March 15th The Fluxfax Portfolio- works by Yoko Ono and Nam June Paik

March 25th-April 4 16th Annual Juried Student Art Exhibition

April 8-May 17 Senior Art Exhibitions

Fisher Gallery
Now-May 19th 
Altering Life by Holding it Still: Photographs by Dorothea Lange and Marion Post Wolcott

The Frank Museum of Art
Now-May 10
Impulsos Vertiginosos
Chilean artist, Isabel Cauas, explores landscape themes in recent monotypes and intaglio prints


Sunday, January 6, 2013

Sculpture Design Contest Winner- Bluffton University Student, Meg Leatherman


Our third annual Sculpture Design Contest was a huge success! Thank you to all who participated. We received over 30 entries, more than we have ever received, and we loved reviewing all of the designs. Thank you Bluffton University and all who participated this year. We chose a design entitled, “Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder” by Bluffton University student, Meg Leatherman. Our sculptor for the 2013 awards, Dave Bowers, will be producing her design with various wood materials for our People’s Choice Award Winner, Grand Award Winner, and for the AICUO downtown office’s permanent display. The sculptures will be exhibited at the 2013 AICUO EVAs award reception at Denison University this year.


I wanted to know a little more about our design winner, so I asked her a few questions about being a student at Bluffton University.
Meg Leatherman is a junior at Bluffton who majors in Business Administration, with a minor in graphic design. She runs cross country, sings in her school’s choir, and is a Resident Assistant at Bluffton.
Meg is from Hesston, Kansas.


What made you enroll in an art course at Bluffton? What are you
currently learning?
Design 1 is the first prerequisite to graphic design classes. I am learning to effectively use space I am given to fill. We work completely in 2D so I have learned a lot about different media.

Are you interested in pursuing art, as a hobby, or looking for a
creative profession?
I will pursue art as a hobby and I would like to have some creative aspects to my future career. I would ideally like to work in a small non-profit organization as a program director and graphic coordinator.

How did you come up with the design for the 2013 EVAs Awards?
I have seen wood artwork similar to Dave's done by a man in my hometown named Paul Friesen. I thought about the work I had seen him do and I thought about how art was judged and critiqued everyday. I liked the idea of a simple form with one outstanding element. Beauty is seen everywhere by looking into the soul of artwork and people, because the true value lies in the eyes of the creator.

What do you think about the visual arts culture within Ohio? Do you
participate with any art events? Do you think visual arts is important for
the community? How so?
I have very little experience in Ohio, due to the fact that I grew up in Kansas and spent the last year in Colorado. I have not gone to visit any art museums in the area.

I do think that visual art is important to any community. No matter where you are located there are people who want to share their feelings, talents, and thoughts. Some people can only do that through visual art. Each area of the country has unique qualities and is influenced by history, heritage, and experiences. It is powerful to see art that was made in the neighboring city or just down the street. It is a gift from God that we, as humans, are able to imagine and create art.

Come see Meg's designs come alive at our awards reception!