As Newman University students begin to fill the campus with life once again, the art department is preparing an exciting display for the Steckline Gallery.
The showing has been named “What’s NU: A Faculty Exhibit,” and as the title implies, attendees can observe the independent works of four faculty and adjuncts. The contributing artists are Adjunct Professor of Photography Cary Conover, Assistant Professor of Art and Director of Steckline Gallery Shannon Johnston, Adjunct Professor of Art History Lisa Kellerby and Adjunct Professor of Ceramics Frank Martinez.
While Johnston has been allowing people to peek in as they get things set up, the exhibit officially opens Thursday, Sept. 2.
Peruse the works
The artists will talk about their work from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 2, followed by the First Friday showing from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3. Both events will be held in the Steckline Gallery on the first floor of DeMattias Fine Arts Center.
“Faculty exhibits are a very normal thing for university galleries to do. It had been several years since Steckline held a faculty exhibit. All of our faculty are all making exciting work right now, we wanted to take the opportunity to highlight them,” Johnston said.
Each faculty member’s art is especially unique, and they have each been working with a particular medium.
“There will be both 2D and 3D works exhibited. Our faculty have been asked to share work in their chosen medium. Cary Conover is showing photography work, Frank Martinez ceramics, Lisa Kellerby has contributed oil paintings as well as found object wall sculptures and I’m displaying encaustic paintings,” Johnston said.
A unique assemblage
“Having such unique perspectives and creative disciplines come together for an exhibit reflects the diversity of talent of Newman University and interdisciplinary vision of the fine arts departments.”
Each of the featured faculty members has, at one point or another, been recognized for his or her accomplishments.
“Conover had a solo exhibit at Wichita’s CityArts this past spring and Martinez regularly shows work at Gallery 12 downtown. Kellerby exhibits in several regional festivals. My work was included in an international exhibit in Nagoya and Tokyo, Japan earlier this year,” Johnston said.
The pieces will remain in the Steckline Gallery until Friday, Sept. 24. The gallery is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by appointment.
The Steckline Gallery is located inside the De Mattias Fine Arts Center on the Newman campus, 3100 McCormick.
For more information, please email Johnston at [email protected].
