“Rhymes in Time,” a collaborative multi-media installation reinterpreting children’s nursery rhymes is on view in the Frankie G. Weems Art Gallery through October 30.

 

Emily Cash Wilmoth, Catherine Thornton, Emily Soldin Howard and Kelly Smith-Campbell identify and explore women’s roles, female stereotypes and myths found in nursery rhymes, visually addressing hidden concepts and historical references found deep within the poems. The nursery rhymes featured in the exhibit are Mary, Mary Quite Contrary, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Little Miss Muffett, The Old Woman that Swallowed the Fly and Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater.

 

The installation blends many historical references together in artwork to bring an entirely new perspective to old nursery rhymes recited by generations of children. Pulling information from the past, all four artists work to infuse their re-envisioned nursery rhyme environment with a historical feel, connecting Mary, Mary Quite Contrary to “Bloody Mary” and Little Miss Muffett to Mary, Queen of Scots.   The exhibit includes pen and ink drawings, large scale drawings, sculpture and audio and video components to create the feeling of being totally submerged in a different, yet familiar, world.

 

According to Wilmoth, Meredith was the “perfect venue for me to transform into my ‘ideal’ multi-sensory environment.” because of its focus on educating women and the opportunity to connect to several academic departments.

 

Emily Cash Wilmoth and Emily Soldin Howard both graduated from Meredith College in 2001.  Wilmoth has taught at Meredith College, Duke University and is currently a professor at the Art Institute of Raleigh Durham. Howard is textile artist and an adjunct faculty member at Meredith, She and Kelly Smith-Campbell, a videographer, also teach at the Art Institute of Raleigh Durham. Thornton is an independent ceramics artist who maintains a studio at Artspace.

 

A number of Meredith students contributed to the completion of the exhibition.  Instructor Emily Soldin Howard’s fibers class wove Miss Muffett’s spider web and her two dimensional class created the rug under the rocking chair. Associate Professor of Art Lisa Pearce’s two dimensional design classes worked on the wall drawings.  Assistant Professor of Art Warner Hyde’s sculpture class worked on the installation of the Old Woman who Swallowed the Fly’s intestines. 

 

Emily Cash Wilmoth received a Regional Artists Project Grant from the United Arts Council of Raleigh and Wake County in support of this exhibition.

 

The exhibition is free and open to the public.  Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, 2 – 5 p.m.  The Gaddy-Hamrick Art Center is located on the western edge of the Meredith College campus, across from the Weatherspoon Gym. 

 

For more information, contact The Meredith College Art Department at (919)760-8332.

 

In this Issue:

Tony-Award Winning Alumna Holds Audition Workshop for Students
Annual Event Provides Taste of Research
President's Dinner for Retired Employees Held
Rhymes in Time Installation Reinterprets Nursery Rhymes
Fall Brings Three Wellness Programs for Meredith Employees

Meredith Marketing Projects Win Five Awards in Statewide Competition

Study Abroad Students Participate in Sansepolcro Tradition
Faculty/Staff Accomplishments
Upcoming Events
News Briefs

 

Have you presented research or attended a professional meeting recently? Has your department earned an award? Share news of these accomplishments and more with the Meredith community. Faculty and staff are invited to email items to Melyssa Allen, “Campus Connections” editor, at allenme@meredith.edu.