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Wonjung
"Judy" Jung publishes children's book |
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Wonjung "Judy" Jung Publishes Children's Book Judy Jung (RU MFA) has published a book she wrote and illustrated. Her Christmas Counting Book has been printed and published in Korea: ISBN 89-89833-00-077410 Contact through her publisher: book4mykid@hanmail.net |
Jerry Krebs Retires from RU  Center top: "Largemouth Bass" Pin: Sterling silver, ivory, and garnet Center middle: "Redeye Bass" Pin: Sterling silver and carnelian Center bottom: "Bluespotted Sunfish" Pin: Sterling silver and hematite  "Tectonic Forces III" Pin: Sterling silver and lace agate |
Jerry Krebs, RU Art Professor retired at the completion of the Fall 2002 semester. Krebs taught Jewelry and Metalworking as well as Art Safety. He was an excellent asset to the department and will be greatly missed by colleagues, friends and students! Tell us about the work you exhibited in the River Show held at the Radford University Art Museum in August 2002. Fishing and water sports have always been a part of my life. What I observe while on or in the water has been a mainstay of my art throughout the years. The New River and Claytor Lake are blessed with an especially rich and varied group of geological formations, flora, and fauna. This group of pins represents each of these sources. The earth is truly alive on many different levels with the waters of our rivers and lakes being the lifeblood of God's creation. A number of years ago, a Claytor Lake rock formation inspired the start of a series of pins entitled "Tectonic Forces." These pins explored the essence of that rock formation: vertical thrusting, division, ruggedness, and a sense of being deeply rooted in the earth. As this series continued, there was the realization that on a smaller scale some of these same tectonic forces are experienced each Spring as new life bursts forth from the earth. Rooted in the soil, what appears to be dead is simply gaining strength for vigorous new growth. Oh that we might realize that experience in our lives! Though a bulb may be dormant, it is not dead. What are the highlights of your years at Radford? That's difficult to pin down . . . in the time I've been here, we've gone from the second largest (but still small) women's college in the nation to a well respected, moderate sized, coed state university. The most gratifying events for me have been the many students who have contacted me, often many years after they have graduated, to let me know the difference I made in their life. That is humbling and exciting! It has also been fun to teach the children of former students! What are the changes that you've noticed the most? Obviously, in the early seventies, the change from all women to coed! Back in the sixties and seventies we were primarily known for producing art educators, and now equally are our B.F.A. and M.F.A. programs. Like all areas of education, we are now greatly influenced by technology . . . which is fine up to a certain point . . . as long as technology enhances the creative process and does not interfere with the personalized creative touch with materials and processes. What are your plans now? With my new granddaughter (Lauren, born on Jan. 9, 2003) we've been burning up the road between Yardley, PA and Radford! I haven't had the chance yet, but I hope to catch half the fish in Claytor Lake this fall! And then there is the small mountain of yard, garden, and remodeling projects on the agenda (that have been neglected or put off for years). My studio also needs a complete revamping (and a major sorting and cleaning . . . wait for the yard sale!). Once things settle down and I get caught up on all those chores, I'm certain I'll return to my personal creative work in metals. I've got lots of ideas stored up! In the "not so good" department, the extreme budgetary constraints of recent years have taken their toll on educational programs and faculty morale. |
RU Alumni art published in prestigious magazine RU Tartan |
Kazya Arai Akimoto, a Japanese painter and RU graduate, has recently had his artwork, entitled "Prophetic Diversity" published in The Spire. The magazine is dedicated to publishing traditionally marginalized voices of minority, low-income and young writers and artists who will create the future of arts and literature. The publication serves Vanderbilt University Divinity School, Graduate Department of Religion, and Oberlin Graduate School of Theology. In the Prophetic Diversity, Akimoto has interpreted Vanderbilt University Divinity School's commitments to theological education. Outlined by a richly embroidered veil, male and female ginkgo leaves, fish, and a sea shell, an arm draped by a robe supports a fusion of interlocked hands to suggest the importance of religious pluralism and inter-religious dialogue in the school's curriculum. Akimoto's paintings have
been exhibited in the museums of Munich, Paris, Tokyo, Milan,
Buenos Aires, as well as many other cities around the world.
His visual thesis on the threats to the environment was installed
on the front lawn of the White House. |
Art History Professor Dottie Mercer Retires |
Dottie Mercer, art history professor, retired in December 2003 and moved to Athens, Georgia, to be closer to her family and grandchildren. She has started her own business, Annabelle's, an art and antiques shop in Watkinsville near Athens. She is looking forward to an antiques buying trip to England in April and a trip to Scotland in June with the Studio School in Roanoke. The trip to Scotland is led by RU Art Alumna, Vera Dickerson. |