Professor Ron Bechet’s ‘Piece’…
Welcome Back XUArt Alumni!
Congratulations!
Ashley Gragg, Art Major
Inside this Issue:
Xavier University of Louisiana
Crowned Miss Freshman 2014-2015!
Department of Art Newsletter
The
Gestalt
ISSUE
01
December
2014
Explore “ARTIST SPACES” by Tina Freeman, Photographer…
Inside this Issue
Explore “ARTIST SPACES” by
1
Tina Freeman, Photographer features
Ron Bechet, and Ma-Po Kinnord
“The Wall of Contemplation” by
Lloyd Bennett ‘60 Dedicated to
Father Moses Anderson, S.E.E.
2
‘JRenee Art Exhibition’
The Department of Art Presents:
“Visions” by Jennifer Johnson ‘89
2
Congratulations:
Ashley Gragg, Art Major
‘Miss Freshman’ 2014—2015
3
DiQuan Forcell, Art Major
Selected “Young Ambassador”
Xavier’s ‘Confucius Institute’
3
Edna Lanieri, Photography Instructor 3
is exhibiting two new bodies of work
at the ‘Front’
Longue Vue Student Art Exhibition
features ‘Intro to Ceramics’ Students
Guided by MaPo Kinnord
3
Student Artist of the Month:
‘Artwork by Kara Crowley’
4
Senior Student Art Exhibition:
“Rubbing the Surface of Me”
by Monie Bowles
4
The Art Village
3520 Pine Street
(across from Main Campus)
Business Mailing Address
Xavier University of Louisiana
1 Drexel Drive
New Orleans, LA 70125
Phone: 504-520-7556
Fax: 504-520-7949
www.xula.edu/art
“When I first arrived, Ron was working on a new series of black and
white paintings. The swirls reminded me of a satellite photograph of
Ron Bechet’s paintings of
trees interest me not
because they portray the
wide, open landscape, but
rather the tangles,
contorted, difficult, and
confused landscape that we
have her in south Louisiana.”
My wife Troi and I have boundaries, the studio
is my space and the house is hers. Having a
pace—-that sense of ownership-is important.
My studio makes me feel lucky and provides for
e sense of gratitude. But it also supplies another
feeling. I remember John Scott used to say to me
that a studio was a privilege and a jail cell.
It compelled him to for his work. But putting in
twelve to fourteen hours a day kept him from
other things. Like John, my own studio makes me
feel I have a responsibility to produce. The responsibility is not only to produce, but to do so to the
best of my abilities.”
“There
was
an
open generosity about
that made me feel welcomed
immediately and we quickly fell into an almost
sisterly rapport. By the time I left we were planning
a trip to Ghana together.
Ma-Po Kinnord
“The water from Katrina came in about four feet
into this studio. The fired pottery floated, then
sank, and most of it broke. A few of the fired
pieces were salvaged, but the unfired works were all
lost. I also lost some of
my mother’s antiques. The
stairs floated away.
There is something about
desperation that translates
into sincerity. Once you’ve
succeeded in any part of
your life the
danger is
staying there. You have to
then try and evolve. For
me I have to evolve or I will be oppressed. It doesn’t matter whether
you are wealthy or poor, there are always circumstances that a human
being is trying to overcome.
Creativity is going to save you.
It’s what helps you survive. This is therapy for me.”
T h e G es t a lt
Page 2
December 2014
Lloyd Bennett ‘60 Shares his ‘Piece’ of Xavier’s Art History…
“Mosaic Wall of Contemplation” Xavier University of Louisiana Art Collection
Dedicated to the memory of Father Moses Anderson, S.S.E. ‘68
Photos courtesy of Lloyd Bennett ‘60
Location and History of the “Mosaic Wall of Contemplation”
“This Mosaic Art Wall” is located on the ground floor at the center of the Administration Building in the original Xavier’s Chapel.
In Sping of 1974, the Rev. Moses B. Anderson, S.S.E. ‘68, then the Chaplain of Xavier University of Louisiana obtained a grant from the
Danforth Foundation to be used for renovation of the Chapel. Father Moses consulted with Lloyd Walter Bennett, Jr. ‘60, then
a professor of Art Education and Fine Arts regarding the construction of a suitable background for a tabernacle and wood altar made by
Julius Saul ‘59. John Scott ‘62, then Chair of the Art Department participated in the discussion. The result of which was a challenge to
Bennett to design a freestanding wall..
The approved design was a combination of ceramics and wood, with ceramic, bronze and wood tiles mounted within a wooden
ladder-like framework. The decoration on the tiles incorporated Ashanti Adinkra symbols and other representations of the
African-American experience which complemented the Priest’s kente cloth vestments.”
‘Professor Bennett’s thoughts upon completion’: “The recreation of this wall is an effort of love, devotion, dedication and sacrifice on the
part of several persons, spearheaded by the inspiration and determination of Father Moses Anderson. Father’s belief and confidence in
people, especially young people helped to create the wall. This wall is not an end in itself, but only one of many milestones in their
renewed awakening and involvement of the total community at here at Xavier.”
Xavier University of Louisiana
Department of Art Presents: Visions” by Jennifer Johnson
“My wish is that all of humanity views my work as a heavenly place where they find comfort.”
“JRenee practices the technique of reverse glass painting. She has had solo exhibitions at Ponder Art
Gallery at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., and the McKenna Museum of African-American Art and
the International House Hotel, both in New Orleans. Her paintings have been in group exhibitions in
New York City; Charleston, S.C., Washington D.C., and New Orleans. She was featured in several
Haitian exhibits at the United Nations, MoCADA Museum, CCCADA Art Institute all in New York.
JRenee’s work is in the collections of Southern University in Baton Rouge, the W.E.B. DuBois Museum in Ghana, and the
McKenna Museum of African-American Art. She holds a BFA rom Xavier . JRenee currently lives in South Carolina
where she was a part of the SC Biennial 2011 at the Contemporary Center of the Arts. She was nominated to participate in
a juried exhibition for Arts Field in Lake City, South Carolina.
Artwork on Display in the Department of Music Gallery
Xavier University of Louisiana Department of Art
www.xula.edu/art
T h e G es t a lt
Page 3
December 2014
Congratulations!
~
Ashley Gragg, Art Major
Crowned Miss Freshman 2014 –2015
Ashley Gragg, 1st left
Photo by Irving Johnson, III
Photo by MaPo Kinnord
DiQuan Forcell, XUArt Major Selected “Young Ambassador”
Represents Xavier’s ‘Confucius Institute’ to promote United States/China Relations
101 K Strong Foundation Conference in Washington D.C.
“DiQuan Forcell along with Ashley Douglas, Amber Douglas
and Alexis Greer were selected by Xavier Confucius Institute
to represent the University as “Young Ambassadors” at the
100 K Strong Foundation Conference in Washington DC. on
November 18—19, 2014. The conference was held in an effort to
promote United States/China relations. During this conference
we, the young ambassadors, from across the Country who previously
visited China were allows to network and speak with other
individuals who also got to experience the Chinese culture first hand.
We also received information about different scholarships.
Edna Lanieri is exhibiting two new bodies of work at the Front
(The Front • 4100 St. Claude Avenue • New Orleans, LA 70117
Saturday & Sunday 12 to 5 pm)
The exhibition is titled “Votive Offerings and Relics”
and it is part of the PhotoNOLA weekend of events.
PhotoNOLA http://photonola.org
We will be having a special opening Dec. 6th from 6-9
for PhotoNOLA and artist talk in the gallery on Dec. 7th.
PhotoNOLA http://photonola.org/event/the-front-4/
Bill Summers
Afro-Cuban
Bata Drum
Performance & Lecture
Hosted by Music, AADS, and Art
Thursday , December 4, 2014
Administration Building Auditorium
5pm—8pm
Xavier University of Louisiana Department of Art
Photos by Edna Lanieri
Longue Vue
Student Art Exhibition
Thursday, December 11, 2014
2pm—4pm
Features ‘Intro to Ceramics’
Art Students
Guided by MaPo Kinnord
Associate Professor of Art
www.xula.edu/art
T h e G es t a lt
Page 4
December 2014
XUArt ‘Student Artist’ of the Month features “Art of Kara Crowley”
A native New Orleans and sophomore at Xavier University, Kara
found her interest in art at an early age of 4 years old and began
drawing cartoons from certain Disney animations, such as Toy Story,
Bug’s Life, and other Pixar animations. Over the years, she started
progressing in my talent from drawing cartoons into drawing
people, buildings, landscape sceneries, self-portraits, etc. She then
changed mediums in art and began painting during my first year of
high school (Xavier University Preparatory High School) while
attending an afterschool program known as YAYA
(Young Aspiration – Young Artists). They’ve helped her so much
into to becoming a better artist and experience with different mediums. She’s also
displayed some of her work at Xavier Department of Art Year-End Student Exhibition, the Ogden Museum,
White Linen Night, Just Say YAYA! (YAYA year end event), Art Has
A Home, House of the Young, and more.
Kara’s choices are either to become an artist, an art teacher, get
involved with illustration or animation. Her dream is to use my love of
art to uplift and inspire others. With these following choices, she then
decided to major in Visual Arts at Xavier University of Louisiana.
Since she has mostly done cartoons, drawings, and paintings to build up
her art skills. And judging from the Alumni that graduated from there and succeeded,
she knows that Xavier University is a great college and will guide her wherever she
needs to go in life.
National Black Society of Engineers Convention
Crowne Plaza 4728 Constitution Ave, Baton Rouge, LA
November 15, 2014, Kara artwork was on display at the National Society of Black Engineers Convention, which helps for young African-American leaders to help sell their
products to the best and brightest engineering professionals in the world. The collegiate, graduate, technical professional and Board of Corporate Affiliate members will
be able to buy the students products and services throughout the three-day conference.
They have a chance to market themselves and form new partnerships. Kara will also
feature the “Lady Magnolia Series” along with some other pieces as well.
Photos by Kara Crowley
‘Senior Show ’...
Art Exhibition featuring “Rubbing The Surface of Me”
December 1—10th
by Monie Bowles, Art Major
The Art Village Gallery
3520 Pine Street
New Orleans, LA 70125
‘Black Tie Affair’
Closing Reception December 10th
4pm—6pm
Xavier University of Louisiana Department of Art
www.xula.edu/art