RADFORD – Work by faculty and students in Radford University’s Department of Art are examples of the positive effects of collaboration between professors, instructors and students. Much of their work lends itself to unique educational outreach projects.

Art Museum Chief Curator and Department of Art chair Steve Arbury recognized the need for a book that gives RU students a more personalized learning tool and a textbook that fell below the price range of some books that exceed $200. About Art was recently published by Kendall Hunt Publishing of Iowa.

Arbury (top right photo) took a sabbatical to write and photograph artwork for the book. His colleagues offered images of their own art, resulting in a savings on the book’s cost. Contributing RU art faculty includes Alison Pack, Drew Dodson, Richard, Bay, Charlie Brouwer, Jim Knipe, John O’Connor, Feng, Ed LeShock, and Halide Salam.

Arbury’s book has its own website that will benefit students as they read and study the book, which is for non-art majors taking Art Appreciation classes. Arbury says, “Other art appreciation books are just so huge, 500-600 pages. My book is more concise and to the point.”

Pack (second from top at right), whose own work was featured in Art Jewelry Today, is a strong advocate for her students, encouraging them to stretch beyond their boundaries. One of her students, Carrie Metheny of Roanoke recently received a $1,000 national award scholarship from the Women’s Jewelry Association for an entry in the designer category.

Pack says, “This really put RU's jewelry program on the map. The young women who won the other scholarships attend famous schools or schools that have a jewelry program with a famous reputation. Carrie is focusing on forming and raising a series of body armour.”

Art education is the heartbeat of Radford University professor Richard Bay. His latest exhibition, “Mom said, ‘Have Faith!’ was displayed at The Living Arts Meyer's Gallery in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Living Arts is a contemporary  art center and Bay's exhibition was funded in part through a grant from the Andy Warhol Foundation.

Bay (third photo from top) uses found materials including, wood, enamel, pencil, cut paper, stickers, candles, vintage graphics and discarded objects to create many of his works. His art addresses controversial topics such as race relations, religion and physical challenges in life.

"The reality of my Faith is again grounded in simple words from my mom, ‘Tell what’s in your heart, live that and you will find your peace,”  Bay says.

Works by Radford University art professor Charlie Brouwer (bottom right photo), art professor emeritus Paul Frets and assistant art professors  Jennifer L. Collins and Kendall Kessler were exhibited as part of the recent “Art Tour 10.”

Part of a cooperative of local professional artists in Southwest Virginia, the RU faculty’s work covers a wide variety of media including painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, sculpture and woodturning.