TWU Division of Visual Arts

STUDENT COLLABORATION | "Portraying Chronic Illness in Aging Adults"

Reception and Artist Talk | SEPT 10

Join us for a student panel talk and exhibition reception to be held September 10, 2024 from 11:00am–NOON.

"Portraying Chronic Illness in Aging Adults," is on view now, through November 15 in the TWU Blagg-Huey Library Living Room. This work came out of a collaborative project between a TWU Nursing professor in Houston, Dr. Aaron Loeb, and a TWU Art History professor in Denton, Dr. Sara Ishii-Bear.

This past Spring 2024, their undergraduate students in visual arts and nursing, worked collaboratively to create art about illnesses experienced by the aging population.


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CHER MUSICO & KARA BELT

KITCHEN TALK | With an interest in collecting and documentation, Musico began acquiring vintage aprons. “Kitchen Talk,” came about as a way to transform these vintage items into topics of conversation, such as income inequality and trans rights. Text is embroidered or appliquéd onto the aprons as a way to connect to the expectation of the “cult of domesticity,” often shoved upon women.

With a shared passion for fiber arts, Musico & Belt collaborated for “Kitchen Talk,” combining their individual fiber works as a conversation began between food and food related items, such as vintage napkins, food snacks, and aprons.

Currently on view in the TWU Hubbard Hall Art Gallery through September 12, 2024. The TWU Hubbard Hall Art Gallery is located in the TWU Student Union at Hubbard Hall, 1st Floor, 304 Administration Drive, Denton, TX.

WELCOME VISUAL ARTS PIONEERS

Let's FUEL our creativity in FALL 2024

We welcome our new and returning visual arts students for Fall 2024. May we have a great semester!

coming soon >>>
DIANA ROJAS | “Bridging the Gap”

A solo exhibition by Diana Rojas, “Bridging the Gap,” opens Monday, August 26 in the TWU East Gallery. Rojas is an interdisciplinary artist whose research explores human attempts and desires to engage with the invisible through installation, video, sound, and sculpture. Informed by her interests in philosophy, history, physics, and material science, she approaches the role of technology in art making as the catalyst for larger conversations of existence, consciousness, and metaphysics.

Diana Rojas explores the hidden and invisible through interdisciplinary collaboration and conversation across fields such as Philosophy, Music Composition, Physics, Material Science, and Visual Art. The tools and environments she creates - by utilizing the archaic and contemporary, the digital and sculptural, known and unknown, and the minute and immersive - culminate in experiential works that prompt viewers to slow down and inspire introspection. The slowing down that these works provoke raises questions about existence, reality and being. By combining materials and elements of theories and devices of exploration, she references their antecedents, but creates new opportunities for viewer investigation. This includes utilizing creative coding, video, 3D modeling, welding steel, kiln forming and soldering glass, and utilizing sand as projection screens. Additionally, she utilizes sound and light to create captivating installations, inspired by interest in the influence that immaterial forces have on human minds and decisions.

Exhibition runs AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 in the TWU West Gallery.

Join us TH SEPT 5, from 5:00–7:00pm for a reception and brief remarks.
See you there!

coming soon >>>
TINA MEDINA | "ATRAVESAR"

"Atravesar," meaning to cross, to go through, or to experience.

Tina Blasa Medina's solo exhibition, "Atravesar," opens Monday, August 26 in the TWU West Gallery. Medina is an interdisciplinary artist using fibers, painting, video, and sound to reflect U.S. American history from the viewpoints of women and children of color, immigrants, farmworkers, and the undocumented.

"Atravesar," reflects on the cyclical nature of current issues of migration, immigration, labor, and assimilation, while exploring its effects on family history, identity, and belonging.

Exhibition runs AUGUST 26 – SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 in the TWU West Gallery.

Join us TH SEPT 5, from 5:00–7:00pm for a reception and brief remarks.
See you there!

LAST DAY >>> forward motion >>>

If you missed last weeks reception, there's still a little bit of time!
On view through August 9, 2024, the 2024 MFA Visual Arts student exhibition, “forward motion” touches on the various ways one can navigate their path of life. Interpreting what it can mean to ‘move forward,’ each of these pieces addresses either moving through a hardship in life, towards a goal, or even the beauty of motion itself. Other pieces read melancholy, as they reflect on moving forward from memories, never able to be revisited, yet hopeful for more to come. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, and how exciting it can be to live in a state of forward motion.

On view through August 9, 2024.
Hubbard Hall Art Gallery | TWU Student Union at Hubbard Hall

📚 SUMMER EXHIBITION: VISUAL ARTS & NURSING AT TWU LIBRARIES 📚

STUDENT COLLABORATION |
"Portraying Chronic Illness in Aging Adults"

On view now, through November 15 in the TWU Blagg-Huey Library Living Room.
This work came out of a collaborative project between a TWU Nursing professor in Houston, Dr. Aaron Loeb, and a TWU Art History professor in Denton, Dr. Sara Ishii-Bear.

This past Spring 2024, their undergraduate students in visual arts and nursing, worked collaboratively to create art about illnesses experienced by the aging population.

A student panel and reception will be held September 10, from 11:00am–NOON.

💡 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT 💡

JOSEPH BOSSOLONO | Recent BFA graduate, Joseph Bossolono, had work included in the recent exhibition, "New Texas Talent 31," which opened last weekend at Craighead Green Gallery in Dallas, TX. The exhibition, juried by Jessica Fuentes, is on view through August 24.

Bossolono’s featured work, "Tabernacle I," is a mixed media sculpture crafted from discarded building materials and various found objects, including: 2’x4’ studs, insulation, firring strips, carpet, plywood, joint compound, and screws. The sculpture is adorned with primed drywall panels painted with surreal scenes of domestic life and abstract depictions of disaster. The work is designed to evoke the intimate feeling of looking into someone’s home and private life, revealing the underlying structure of both a family and a home. Bossolono aims to create a piece where the materials and imagery are equal in value and meaning within the piece.

1. Joseph Bossolono, standing with “Tabernacle I” at Craighead Green opening reception – July 20, 2024
2. Joseph Bossolono, detail from “Tabernacle I”
3. Joseph Bossolono, detail from “Tabernacle I”
4. Candid image from last fall's mural class, where students began the mural, "Your Dream, Your Legacy"

🔦 ART 4903.1 | 5903.1: PROJECTED LIGHT 🔦

Interested in video editing & projection?
Check out ART 4903 | 5903: PROJECTED LIGHT, taught by Julie Libersat. Learn video basics, projection techniques, and explore light as a medium!

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course introduces the basics of video editing, film and video projection techniques, and digital methods that employ light as process and medium; including: laser cutting, camera obscura, and immersive techniques.

Crosslighting available for undergraduate and graduate students.
Credit: Three hours.

SAT, JULY 27 | 11:00am - 2:00pm

One of our Visual Arts graduate students, Janice Alvarez, will be teaching a workshop this weekend at the Latino Cultural Center. Join us in showing our support and come to this fun and creative workshop on decorating cantaritos, traditional Mexican clay cups. Unleash your creativity as you design your own unique cantarito, infusing it with personal meaning and cultural significance.

Workshop is FREE and open to the public.
Please reserve a spot to ensure enough materials email [email protected]

So many vibrant ways to support our community.

This weekend in Denton: Laugh out loud, restore a TWU-inspired mural and join a silent book club We're expecting slightly cooler weather this weekend, and with it come plenty opportunities to get out and about this weekend.

SAT JULY 20 | 10:00am-2:00pm

Join us in restoring the Mural, "Your Dreams, Your Legacy"

Last fall, Texas Woman’s visual arts students painted a mural under the direction of Giovanni Valderas, at the corner of Third and Oakland Streets. As a community, we enjoyed watching the wall come to life day-by-day and celebrated its completion.

In June, the mural was defaced. As a community, we have chosen not to share the content of that message, denying the perpetrators any greater platform. Taking a more positive step forward, the TWU School of the Arts, Marketing and Communication, Multicultural Women's and Gender Studies, and the Office of the Chancellor and President invite you to join us in restoring the “Your Dream, Your Legacy” mural to its original beauty. We stand together in support of the mural’s expression of enduring community and a culture of belonging.

So, pick up a brush, share some lunch and have fun!

July 20, 2024
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
1215 Oakland St, Denton, TX (Corner of Third and Oakland)

Food and water will be provided.
Tents will also be set up for shade, but please dress comfortably for the sun and heat.

P.S.

Can’t paint this weekend, but would still like to support the mural restoration or the creation of new student art on campus, you can give to the visual arts fund!

LINK IN BIO:
https://give.twu.edu/campaign/visual-arts-support-fund/c600077

🔦 STUDENT SPOTLIGHT 🔦

DIANE COX | "She's an amazing human being," said Visual Arts professor Giovanni Valderas. "It's been a joy getting to know her. We're lucky because she could have gone anywhere, but that she came to TWU is so great. If any student gets to know Diane, those lessons she's learned will translate to our students. In some ways, she becomes a de facto mentor. I don't know if she knows that or not."

Diane Cox was one of the students that created the winning design, "Your Dream, Your Legacy," which was painted on the Marketing & Communications building last December. Join us this Saturday, July 20 to help restore the mural!

Link in bio | View full feature here
https://twu.edu/visual-arts/division-and-alumni-news/to-hell-and-back/

🎨🩷 MURAL RESTORATION CELEBRATION 🩷🎨

SAT JULY 20: 10:00am-2:00pm

Join us in helping to restore our mural, “Your Dream, Your Legacy,” located at the corner of Third and Oakland Street.

The community restoration event will be held by the Visual Arts faculty, staff, and students along with Marketing and Communication.

Food and water will be provided.
Tents will also be set up for shade, but please dress comfortably for the sun and heat.

Please share with others and come out to help us restore this mural.

See the event page for more details! Link in bio.

🎨 MURAL RESTORATION CELEBRATION 🎉

The TWU and Denton community are invited to join us in helping to restore the mural, "Your Dream, Your Legacy," located at the corner of Third and Oakland Street.

The Visual Arts faculty, staff, and students with Marketing and Communication, will be hosting a community restoration event on July 20, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Please come out and help us restore this mural.

See the event page for more details.

TWU Division of Visual Arts BFA degrees in Art Education, Graphic Design, and Studio Arts. MA in Art History. MFA in Studio Arts

We were saddened to learn that our beautiful new mural, “Your Dream, Your Legacy,” located at the corner of Third and Oakland Streets, was recently vandalized.

Visual Arts professor Giovanni Valderas and his students completed the mural last December as part of a public art course. The mural, which is an homage to Texas Woman’s University, the City of Denton, and the strength of our multicultural community.

The Visual Arts faculty, staff, and students, along with Marketing and Communication, will be hosting a community restoration event later this month. Please stay tuned for more information about ways to participate and come together as a community. To rebuild.

forward motion >>>

Hubbard Hall Art Gallery | A collaboration between the 2024 MFA Visual Arts students, “forward motion” touches on the various ways one can navigate their path of life. Interpreting what it can mean to ‘move forward,’ each of these pieces addresses either moving through a hardship in life, towards a goal, or even the beauty of motion itself. Other pieces read melancholy, as they reflect on moving forward from memories, never able to be revisited, yet hopeful for more to come. Viewers are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, and how exciting it can be to live in a state of forward motion.

👩🏻‍🏫 FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS 👩🏻‍🏫

We are excited to share the book chapter our Visual Arts faculty, Julie Libersat, co-authored with Adetty Pérez-Miles and Kevin Jenkins. "Libretto in Four Acts: Tactics for Art Walking in Public Spaces," was recently published in the book "Pedagogical Propositions: Playful Walking with A/r/tography. Book Two: Essays," co-edited by Rita L. Irwin, et al.

The International Society of Education through Art, InSEA Publications is providing the book online as an open access PDF through their site!

https://www.insea.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Book-2-final-Apr25.pdf

🏆 SWAG STAMP COMPETITION WINNERS 🏆

TWU Visual Arts Professors, Sheli Petersen and Christine Adame, chose three student designs for future Visual Arts recruitment swag!

1. Elisia Hill
2. Jessica Lee
3. Hanna Dang

The TWU Visual Arts Division will use these designs to produce rubber stamps. The stamps will be used at events, stamped onto kraft paper sketchbooks to spread the TWU Visual Arts spirit!

Thank you again to everyone who entered!
And congrats to our winners!

📊 ART 3323: DATA VISUALIZATION 📊

Needing a class for Fall 2024? Check out ART 3323: DATA VISUALIZATION, taught by Christine Adame. Explore interpreting and analyzing complex data to produce accessible & exciting designs!

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Techniques and algorithms for creating effective visualizations based on graphic design, visual art, perceptual psychology, and cognitive science principles. Emphasis on analyzing systems to encode data and build functional and engaging visual communications strategies.
May be repeated once for additional credit (up to six hours credit).

Prerequisites: ART 2293 and ART 2243.
Two lecture and four studio hours a week.

Credit: Three hours.


👨🏻‍💻

💡 VISUAL ARTS MARKETING SPOTLIGHT 💡

🏫 SHARONZA PENSON 🏫 has been working as our graduate assistant this term. Thank you for all your hard work this semester!

“My name is Sharonza Penson and I'm an abstract artist based in McKinney, TX.” She is currently an MFA candidate at Texas Woman’s University. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Journalism from Texas A&M University (College Station), she began a graphic design / advertising / marketing career which spanned over 17 years. “Once I became a mom, I had to put my corporate career aside and become fully dedicated to my son and making art. Though I've been a creative person all of my life, I've been painting full-time (when time allows) for the past 7 years.” Penson primarily sells their art through social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram and TikTok).

“I enjoy being spontaneous and intuitive when it comes to creating. One of my deepest fascinations as an artist lies in experimenting with the power of colors to express enlightenment & emotions.” Her favorite way to work is a combination of life experiences / observations, imagination, photographs, and the chaotic depths of her mind. And when an accident happens, that just brings another level of intrigue to their art. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with close friends and wine tastings. Penson states, “And if there's an occasion to dance, I'm in the mix!”

IG: Sharonza_artspace
FB Sharonza Penson - Abstract Artist
TikTok: sharonza_artspace

1. Sharonza Penson, "Student Spotlight Portrait"
2. Sharonza Penson, “Just Stop,” Mixed Media, 2024
3. Sharonza Penson, “As Above, So Below,” Mixed media, 2023
4. Sharonza Penson, “Despair and Defeat,” Oil on canvas, 2023

💡 VISUAL ARTS MARKETING SPOTLIGHT 💡

📸 ZIPPORAH PEACE 📸 has been working as our photography intern this term. Thank you for all your hard work this semester!

Zipporah Peace is a photographer, graphic designer, and artist based and raised in the DFW area. She was drawn to photography and began to cultivate her interest in visual communication in her adolescent years. She received her Associates in the Arts from Tarrant County College and just graduated with her BFA in Visual Arts with a focus in Graphic Design.

As a multimedia artist drawing inspiration from pop-culture and personal experiences, Peace’s work explores mental health and the complex relationship with self. It documents and celebrates the complexity of finding yourself and dealing with mental disorders. She creates work using a combination of digital tools within the Adobe suite such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Indesign, and more to create cover art, posters, photographs, and social media content. “As an artist, I choose pop, punk, and grunge aesthetics with the use of vibrant colors and patterns. I love that digital art is an embodiment of change and transformation.” Peace enjoys being able to take an idea or concept to a digital form, and it can even be changed into a physical form. My aim as an artist is to use this medium to inspire others, provoke emotion and thoughts, and help me to connect to the world.”

Playlist:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1MlTLRPzLnWROSjtafHQay?si=1b2d63cc28464072

IG
FB Zipporah Peace

1. Zipporah Peace, "Student Spotlight Portrait"
2. Zipporah Peace, from “Music Heals my Mental Health” brand campaign, 2024
3. Zipporah Peace, “Untitled,” digital photograph, 2022
4. Zipporah Peace, “Gemini,” digital photograph, 2022
5. Zipporah Peace, “Deep Rest (Depressed),” digital photograph, 2022
6. Zipporah Peace, business card mockup, 2024