Archives for August 2024

Music professor Dr. Daniel Ketter to perform with American Wild Ensemble Sept. 8

August 31, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Dr. Daniel Ketter will perform with the American Wild Ensemble in “Owl at Home” 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8 at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield, Missouri.

“Owl at Home” is part of the ensemble’s “Wild Imagination: The Magic of Musical Storytelling” program, according to Ketter, associate professor in the Department of Music.

Ketter co-directs the ensemble with flutist Dr. Emlyn Johnson. Composer John Liberatore wrote the music for “Owl at Home” and will narrate the part of Owl, Ketter said.

Child watching performers on stage — A young member of the audience watches a “Wild Imagination” performance. Photo credit: Backstory Photography/Jeff Burkhead.

In addition, the ensemble will present Jennifer Murvin’s “Like a Heart, a Bookshop.” Murvin, assistant professor in the Department of English, owns the Pagination Bookshop in Springfield.

Ketter wrote the music for Murvin’s narrative.

New exhibits at Carolla and Brick Galleries highlight art and nature

August 29, 2024 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design is currently hosting two exhibits that offer a fresh perspective on our relationship with the natural world through sculpture, acrylic and watercolor.

“This Land,” an exhibit by Stacey Holloway and Steve Snell, explores the dynamics between humans and the natural environment, while Matt Moyer provides a unique take on mechanical artifacts and systems in “Artifacts.”

“This Land” is open for viewing at the Robert and Margaret Carolla Arts Exhibition Center Aug. 19-Sept. 13. Hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

“Artifact” is available for viewing at Brick City Gallery Aug. 26-Sept. 20. Hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.

Both exhibits will also be open during the First Friday Art Walk Sept. 6 from 6-9 p.m.

Snell and Holloway exhibits present “playful dialogue” on nature

Describing his art as reflecting a lifelong fascination with nature and adventure, Snell said he draws inspiration from his explorations along the Missouri River.

“All of the animals except the wolf come from going down the Missouri River,” Snell said. His work is meant to transport the viewer into his experiences, he added, whether it’s the quiet moment of a coyote’s stare or the vibrant life along the river’s edge.

As Snell puts it, his work aims to tell stories that “inspire others to write their own stories,” reflecting a collaborative narrative that extends beyond gallery walls.

In contrast, Stacey Holloway presents a complementary exploration of the natural world, often focusing on animals and their interactions with humans, according to Deidre Argyle, sculpture professor at Missouri State.

The interplay between Snell’s watercolor landscapes and Holloway’s sculptural animals provides a thoughtful and playful dialogue that invites viewers to reflect on their own relationships with nature, Argyle noted.

Sculpture of two rabbits — One of Stacey Holloway’s sculptures on view in the exhibit.

Reynolds College and University Libraries to open Digital Humanities Lab Fall 2024

August 29, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University will have a new Digital Humanities Lab (DHL) beginning Fall 2024, thanks to a collaborative effort between the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) and the Missouri State University Libraries.

Located in the lower lever of the Duane G. Meyer Library, the DHL will provide resources and guidance for faculty and students to create digital scholarship projects, according to RCASH Associate Dean Dr. Jason Jolley.

A ribbon-cutting opening ceremony is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sept. 17 in the lower level of Meyer Library.

The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

Using technology to study cultures and societies

According to Jolley, the term “digital humanities” reflects an interdisciplinary approach to studying the humanities using digital tools and technologies. Subjects as wide-ranging as literature, languages, history and philosophy can all benefit from digital humanities research.

The primary goal of digital humanities research, he added, is to learn more about human societies. “Digital humanities scholars use computational methods to analyze, visualize and interpret cultural artifacts and texts,” Jolley said. “By employing techniques such as text mining, data visualization and digital mapping, digital humanities projects provide new insights and perspectives on human culture and society.”

Digital humanities scholars also use complex tools in their research, Jolley explained. Examples include high-resolution digital cameras, virtual reality systems for immersive historical experiences, scanning technologies and 3D modeling.

“These tools enable researchers to capture, analyze and present humanities data in innovative ways, making research more accessible and engaging to broader audiences,” he said.

Finally, in another use for digital humanities, research can be shared through online archives, interactive exhibits and open-access publications.

Missouri State’s new DHL will offer all these resources to students and faculty throughout the university community.

Art and Design calling for donations of old jewelry through Sept. 16

August 27, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design wants your old jewelry.

In a recent press release, the art and design department announced the “Radical Jewelry Makeover (RJM): MSU” project. This is a community jewelry mining project dedicated to repurposing old, unwanted jewelry into new pieces.

During the Fall 2024 semester, students from Missouri State and area professional jewelers will collaborate with the University of Kansas to transform donated pieces into new jewelry.

The project will conclude with two traveling exhibitions. Missouri State’s Carolla Arts Exhibition Center will host one exhibit Jan. 27-Feb. 21, 2025. The other exhibit will be on view Jan. 21-31, 2025 in the Edgar Heap of Birds Family Gallery at the University of Kansas.

Sociology professor reflects on African American Heritage Trail marker honoring Mary Jean Price Walls

August 23, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The late Mary Jean Price Walls, who as a woman of color was denied entry to Missouri State University in the 1950s, has been honored with a historical marker celebrating her place on the Springfield-Greene County African American Heritage Trail.

The marker is located outside the Plaster Student Union, just west of Siceluff Hall.

Many members of the campus and Springfield communities gathered for a dedication ceremony at the Mary Jean Price Walls Multicultural Center August 21. The marker was unveiled immediately after.

Walls received an honorary undergraduate degree from Missouri State in 2010. The university later named the Multicultural Resource Center in her honor in 2016.

Walls died July 6, 2020.

Celebrating the contributions of people of color

According to the organization’s website, Heritage Trail members work to recognize contributions people of African descent have made to local history. As part of that mission, the organization places physical markers at key historical locations throughout Springfield and Greene County.

Man standing outside next to sign giving two thumbs up — Dr. Lyle Foster gives two thumbs up at the Walls marker unveiling. Photo credit: Dr. Leonard B. Horton III.

Heritage Trail sites include the Sherman Avenue Corridor, Lincoln Cemetery, Miss Alberta’s Hotel, Silver Spring Park, the Downtown Square and Lincoln High School. Other important sites include Springfield’s historic black churches, such as Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Benton Avenue AME Church, Pitts Chapel United Methodist and Gibson Chapel Presbyterian Church.

According to Dr. Lyle Foster, Walls’ marker is the first Heritage Trail marker on the Missouri State campus. Foster is a Heritage Trail committee member and associate professor of sociology in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Gerontology.

Plans are in the works to recognize Missouri State’s Kentwood Hall next, Foster said.

“What we know as Kentwood Hall [is that] it played a role in the effort to desegregate public facilities in the city of Springfield,” he explained. “The story will help shed light on the effort to make public spaces available for everyone.”