Athens State Art Students to participate in National "Athens" Exhibition

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Guy McClure

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

May 13, 2013

www.athens.edu

Athens State Art Students to participate in 

National “Athens” Exhibition

ATHENS, Alabama - Athens Voices USA ’13, an Athens, Ohio biennial event by The Dairy Barn Arts Center, is an all media, juried art exhibition that aims to feature the diverse styles and visions of artists residing within 30 miles of a city named Athens in the United States.  Athens Voices USA 2013 will be the fourth juried art exhibition celebrating “Athens” from all over the Nation. 

Athens Voices USA ’13 Exhibition opens locally on June 6 at the Alabama Center for the Arts located at 133 2^nd Avenue in Decatur, Alabama.  Exhibit hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 8:00 to noon.   The show will close on August 20.

359 submitted works from artists living in or near a city named “Athens” were considered in December by Jurors who met at the Dairy Barn in Ohio. 76 pieces were chosen to compose the Athens Voices USA ’13 Exhibition.  Seven of these 76 pieces are from five Athens State University students who attend classes at the Alabama Center for the Arts in downtown Decatur;  Katelin Harris, Robyn Locke, Eric Murphy, Heather Snow and Adriana Stephens.

                To kick off the show’s opening on June 6, a lecture by one of the show’s jurors, Gary Kirksey, will be offered at the Center. Kirksey serves as an associate professor, School of Visual Communication, Ohio University.  A few of his works will be included in the display at the Center alongside the Voices show.  His exhibition record includes: Actors Theatre of Louisville, KY, African-American Art Museum, Dallas, TX, Appalachian Corridors, Charleston, WV, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Brooklyn, NY, Huntington Museum of Art, Huntington, WV, National Black Arts Festival, Atlanta, GA, and his art work is included in over 40 public, private and corporate collections.

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Local Athens State Student Receives Two Art Related Honors

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Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

April 17, 2013

www.athens.edu

 Local Athens State Student Receives Two Art Related Honors

ATHENS, Ala.  - Athens State University student Nathan Stout was recently the winner of Pesky Piranha Youth Triathlon Logo Contest.  His winning design will be showcased on the organization’s website, t-shirts, facebook page, and promotional materials.  The Pesky Piranha race is sponsored by the Huntsville Youth Triathlon organization.

In addition to winning the poster contest, Stout recently was named a finalist in the 33rd Annual College and High School Photography Contest sponsored by Nikon and Photographer’s Forum magazine.  Over 16,000 photographs were entered from international contestants.   His photo will be published in a book, Best of College & High School Photography 2013, published by Photographer’s Forum magazine.

Stout, an Athens native, will be graduating from Athens State in May with a degree in Art.  After graduation, he plans to start his search for a career in the graphic design field.  Stout has worked full-time for Starbucks for three years and hopes for an opportunity to continue with the company advancing to a corporate position.

“I love making art in many different forms, however my favorite would be Photography,” states Stout.  “I've been developing my personal style as a photographer for a few years. My main subject matter is people and I use a variety of different lighting techniques to create chiaroscuro style pieces.”

At Athens State, Nathan enjoyed his Photoshop and Illustrator classes.  Although he does finds it hard to pick a favorite subject because he feels that he learns valuable information from every course.

Athens State Professor of Art Pamela Keller remarks, "Nathan is an innovative design student who brings a young and quirky perspective to his pieces. That creates uniqueness and fresh imagery."

When not studying or acting as the local barista, Stout enjoys spending time with his wife watching movies, long boarding, and going to concerts.

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Attached photograph:  Nathan Stout with one of his photographs.

Artist’s Journey Exhibit Going on Now at the Alabama Center for the Arts

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

April 16, 2013

www.athens.edu

Artist’s Journey Exhibit Going on Now at the Alabama Center for the Arts

DECATUR, Ala. - The Artist’s Journey, an exhibit of the works of a group of seasoned regional artists, will be held at the Alabama Center for the Arts now through May 23, 2013.  This is a juried exhibit.

The Jurors for the show consisted of professional artists and art instructors, Johanna Littleton, David Edwards, and Blu Smith.  The artists’ works displayed include different mediums, such as oils, acrylics, watercolors, pencil and charcoal. 

This is the 4^th annual show for Artist’s Journey members and the first to be held at the Alabama Center for the Arts in downtown Decatur.

A reception will be held on April 18, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.   This event is free and open to the public.

The Alabama Center for the Arts is located at 133 2^nd Avenue in Decatur, Alabama.  Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, and Friday from 8:00 to noon.   

For more information about the event please call 256-444-0222.

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Athens State Senior Art Students Present Exhibition of their Works

For Further Information 

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release
March 28, 2013
www.athens.edu


 

Athens State Senior Art Students Present Exhibition of their Works

ATHENS, Ala. - The senior art students of Athens State University will present their senior exhibition titled
“Hanging the Artists.” The exhibition will hang in the Alabama Center for the Arts’ main gallery beginning April 1 through April 11.

The Alabama Center for the Arts is located at 133 2nd Avenue in Decatur, Alabama. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, and Friday from 8:00 to noon.

An Artist Reception will be hosted by the artists in the main gallery of the Center on April 5 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This event is free and open to the public.

Featured artists for this show include Timothy Robertson, Adrianna Stephens, Heather Snow, Ashley Castillo, Nathan Stout, Katelin Harris, Sarah Heidtmann, Robyn Locke, Sandra Casteel, and Richard Roberts.

For more information visit www.athens.edu/ACA or call 256-233-8296.

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Athens State University Department of Art Student Wins Disability Poster Contest

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Guy McClure
256-233-8296
Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

March 15, 2013

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Athens State Student Places in State Disability Poster Contest

ATHENS, Ala.  - Athens State University art student Jeanette Blasios was awarded 2nd place for the Alabama Postsecondary Division in the 2013 “Ability Counts” Poster Journalism Competition.  Blasios will receive $200, a certificate and a citation for meritorious service will be presented to her professor, Dr. Pamela Keller.

           The contest is sponsored annually by the Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.  The contest focuses attention on the abilities of Alabamians with disabilities and promotes a greater awareness of the contributions that people with disabilities make to the workplace and the community. Students from around the state competed in either the journalism essay or the poster contest.

          The poster contest included entries in three categories: junior high, high school, and postsecondary.  The Alabama Governor’s Committee on the Employment of Disabilities is a program of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, whose mission is to enable Alabama’s children and adults with disabilities to achieve their maximum potential.

          Blasios will be honored, along with other state winners, at an Awards Luncheon on May 3, 2013 at the Capital City Club in Montgomery.

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Athens State Art Professor to Sculpt Bronze Memorial

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

March 8, 2013

www.athens.edu

 Athens State Art Professor to Sculpt Bronze Memorial

                PULASKI, Tenn. - The Giles County (Tennessee) Leadership class of 2013 in Pulaski has accepted a proposal for a bronze memorial by artist Pamela Keller for Pulaski’s Sharewoord Park.  Pamela Keller is a Professor of Art at Athens State University at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur.

The memorial will be life-sized of a man sitting on a park bench holding two dog tags close to his face in his left hand while in meditation. In his right hand will be a small American flag.  The park surroundings and nearby flags on flagpoles would provoke another level of appreciation for freedom. 

Keller states, “The traditional sculpture of this man can be viewed with some mystery. Is he a veteran? Are those his dog tags or those of a daughter, son or friend? Perhaps it is Memorial Day or Veterans Day and he has come to the park to reflect? Or is he on his way to the adjacent cemetery to visit the fallen soldier and plant the small flag?”

 There would be room on either side of the bench for people to sit with this man and reflect on memories of veterans. 

Keller has taught at Athens State University since 1981. This is her 15th year as a public sculpture bronze artist.  Work on the sculpture will begin in two weeks with an approximate installation and unveiling in early 2014. 

"It’s been a privilege to create this proposed memorial,” continues Keller.  “The work is so important to me that I have donated half of the artists fee to the project itself in honor of my Father, Paul Raymond Keller, a Korean war veteran."

Fundraising is now underway and donations can be made at the Giles County (Tennessee) Chamber of Commerce.

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Photo Attached:  Artist’s conception of the future memorial.

Athens State 2nd Annual Downtown Mardi Gras Parade

For Further Information

Guy McClure

256-233-8296

Guy.McClure@athens.edu

For immediate release

February 06, 2013

www.athens.edu

Athens State 2^nd Annual Downtown Mardi Gras Parade

ATHENS, Ala. - Athens State University art professor Gail Bergeron and students from her Special Workshop in Sculpture class will hold a Mardi Gras parade in Athens at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 12.  This 2^nd annual parade will kick-off from Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning located at 121 S. Marion Street on the Limestone County Courthouse Square.

“Last year’s event was well received and a lot of fun,” states Bergeron.  “For a one-block parade, we make the best of it and I really think that’s what makes it so special.”

The parade route is to travel Marion Street back and forth between Washington and Market Streets in Athens - - just one block.

The theme for this year’s parade is Alice in Voodooland and the Athens State revelers will be in costume with sculpted heads.  Music for the marchers will be provided Retrobics. 

The parade is open to the public and marching and participating is encouraged.  Bergeron said anyone who would like to donate Mardi Gras beads for the Athens event can leave them at the Center for Lifelong Learning prior to the parade.

“I can say without a doubt,” continued Bergeron, “this will be the best, most fun one-block parade in the world.”

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Attached:  Picture from last year’s parade.