This winter the MSU Study Away Program helped facilitate a letter of understanding between the Department of Art and Design and Tainan National University of the Arts (TNNUA) Graduate Institute of Applied Arts in Taiwan. The agreement officially recognizes the “unofficial” exchange program that has existed between the Ceramics and Metals-jewelry programs at MSU and TNNUA since 2002. The Department of Art and Design anticipates continuing with this exchange every two to three years, which has been the history so far. Thanks to Gloria Galanes, Dean of  the College of Arts and Letters(COAL) and Carolyn Cardenas, Chair of the Department of Art and Design, necessary funding has been provided to make this exchange happen.

During the spring semester 2014, two TNNUA graduate art students are working side-by-side with the students at MSU: ceramic artist Lin, Yi-huei, and metals-jewelry artist Yu, Meng-ju. They have been working diligently in their respective MSU studios as they prepare for their two-person exhibition at Springfield Pottery, which opens on the First Friday Artwalk on May 2.

MSU Ceramics student Tawn Dickison and Metals-Jewelry student Lillian Fitzpatrick have been living and working in Taiwan during the spring semester. They have had the tremendous opportunity to live immersed in the culture of this intriguing island, making works of art alongside Taiwanese graduate students, visiting important cultural sites, as well as experiencing daily life in Taiwan.

 

   

(Images left to right: metal works by Yu,Meng-ju, sculpture wall and ceramic sculpture by Lin,Yi-huei)