“Artists’ Eyes on the Environment” on View Through March 29
“Artists’ Eyes on the Environment: A Series of Exhibitions” continues through March 29, 2009, in four locations on the Meredith College campus. Organized in conjunction with the College’s focus on the environment and sustainability issues, the shows include paintings and mixed media collages by Carrboro artist Shelly Hehenberger and sculptures, installations, videos and prayer flags created by Meredith art students.
“Chaos and Cosmos: Work by Shelly Hehenberger”
Rotunda Gallery, Johnson Hall
Shelly Hehenberger’s paintings and mixed media collages focus on the intriguing process of drawing and painting as it is reflected in the patterns and processes of living things existing at all levels of nature. Her way of working balances on an edge between the wholeness and connectedness of cosmos, and the unknown, uncontrollable, even dangerous territory of chaos. The resulting paintings and mixed media collages are layered with pattern and color; some place the viewer in galaxy-like space and others suggest microscopic or sub-atomic life forms.
”Visualizing Environmental Impact: Meredith College Art Students Group Exhibition, part 1”
Frankie G. Weems Art Gallery, Gaddy-Hamrick Art CenterIndoor sculptural installations made by student groups in Assistant Professor of Art Lisa Pearce’s three dimensional design classes address issues of natural habitats and animal homes lost to litter and debris, the cost in trees of college textbooks and paper in general, and the amount of food wasted in the college cafeteria each day to call attention to the impact of growth and development on natural resources. Videos from Professor of Art Jane Terry’s photography students focus on human relationships with the natural and built world while a series of photographs from another student pointedly pokes at the resource-depleting effect of consumerism.
”Visualizing Environmental Impact: Meredith College Art Students Group Exhibition, part 2”
Front and back lawns, Gaddy-Hamrick Art Center
Assistant Professor of Art Warner Hyde asked his three dimensional design students to create outdoor, three dimensional and site specific sculptures to address the issue of sustainability. Students collaborated on works that confront the constriction of livable space due to unchecked waste, the impact of McMansions, the impressions we leave on the earth, and the possibilities of recycling.
“Harmony and Disharmony of the Natural World”
Cate Center Atrium
The 14 students in Art Instructor Georgia Springer’s fibers class created prayer flags, a traditional form of Buddhist practice originating in Tibet. They are made to be hung in the outdoors so that the winds blow “blessings on the breeze” from the maker to those touched by the air. These prayer flags arise out of haiku written by each student concerning the theme of the harmony and disharmony of the natural world. They are made of hand dyed, silkscreened and resist painted cotton and silk.
The exhibitions are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For further information, contact the Meredith College Art Department at ext. 8332.
Faculty/Staff Supporting Meredith: Donor Natalie Herrmann
By Jean Gambrill, Assistant Director of The Meredith Fund
As a Meredith employee, what unique benefit have you been enjoying recently?
For Natalie Herrmann, one of these benefits is use of the Meredith swimming pool. With its new salt chlorine generation system (which helps you smell less of the chlorine on your skin), she tries to swim three mornings a week. When not at the pool, Herrmann is at her desk in the Office of Events and Community Programs as the Events Assistant. She enjoys the fast-paced environment and working with so many College divisions and departments.
When Herrmann accepted her position at Meredith in August 2005, her daughter, Lauree, was a Meredith student. Since then, Lauree graduated in May 2008, and still two members of the Herrmann family remain on campus. Herrmann’s youngest daughter, Kristy, is a member of the Class of 2011.
When Herrmann was asked to give to The Meredith Fund as a staff member, she was already a Meredith donor. “I began giving to The Parents’ Fund prior to my employment here because I wanted to give for the blue light security telephones for the back parking lots,” recalls Herrmann. The Parents’ Fund is a component of The Meredith Fund and each year both funds provide for needs of the College.
Once Herrmann became an employee, she started giving as a staff member and a parent; a year ago, she decided to make her gifts through payroll deduction. “Payroll deduction gives me peace of mind by ensuring that my gift is in place by year-end. The end-of-year statement was so helpful when I prepared my taxes this year,” declares Herrmann.
As a parent, Herrmann shares in her daughters’ experiences and sees the value of a Meredith education. As the events assistant, she explores the benefits and opportunities for Meredith employees. Herrmann recognizes what Meredith provides and she wishes to give back.
“I choose to give to Meredith in support of the wonderful education that my daughters, Lauree and Kristy, have received and for my appreciation of my tuition-remission benefit.”
If you would like to make a gift to Meredith, please go to www.meredith.edu and click on “Giving to Meredith” or contact Jane Mitchell at ext. 8060, mitchelj@meredith.edu.
