Reynolds College Blog

Visiting artist Andrea Modica to give public lecture April 18

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Photographer Andrea Modica will present a public lecture of her work on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center, Jay Wasson Idea Loft, at 405 N. Jefferson Ave. in Springfield.

Photography professor Gwen Walstrand, of the Department of Art and Design, was instrumental in bringing Modica to Missouri State University.

Walstrand described Modica’s work as “poetic and evocative, both dark in content yet hopeful and tender.” She added that she has always been interested in Modica’s work and knew it would be beneficial for the students and community.

“Students will get to hear her articulate her ideas and explain how she thinks about the work she makes,” Walstrand said. “Modica models how to ask visual questions about her art and that of others. She employs much knowledge to offer students and will answer important questions of what it means to be an artist now and how to make a living as an artist.”

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“Homeland” landscape photography exhibit features nationally recognized artists

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The landscape photography exhibit “Homeland: Photographs from the Anthropocene” will be on view March 1-April 5 in the Brick City Gallery.

The exhibit features the works of four artists: Ian Campbell, Terra Fondriest, Dana Fritz and Drew Nikonowicz. Each artist will give a brief gallery talk April 5 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

The event is curated by Dr. Gwen Walstrand, professor in the Department of Art and Design.

Brick City Gallery is located at 215 West Mill Street, Springfield, MO. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 417-837-2330 for additional details. Audiences can also view the exhibit during the First Friday Art Walk on March 1 and April 5 from 6-9 p.m.

The Art and Design department is pleased to host these artists as they exhibit their work to students and the community.

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Photography students visit Kansas City photography collection

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Several photography students in Missouri State University’s Department of Art and Design traveled to the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City Oct. 2.

About 20 students and four faculty were guided through two exhibitions by Curator of Photography Dr. April Watson, who discussed the themes, ideas and history of the photographs in addition to the photographers’ backgrounds.

According to their website, the Nelson-Atkins Museum is home to one of the largest photography collections in the country. After the Hallmark Photographic Collection gifted 6,500 photographic works by 900 artists to the museum in 2005, the Nelson-Atkins dedicated the Bloch wing of the museum to showcase this still growing collection.

Field trip described as “impactful”

Professor of photography Gwen Walstrand organized the event and elaborated on the importance of the experience.

“Seeing so many important pieces in person, which students may previously have only seen in reproductions, allows for a much more profound impact,” Walstrand said. “Both exhibitions featured examples by photographers who have contributed to the history of art.”

“Dr. Watson was able to illuminate the significance of the historical and contemporary work with enthusiasm and a researcher’s expertise,” Walstrand added.

“I loved seeing the exhibit of the female artist, Evelyn Hofer, who wasn’t well known in her time,” said photography student Emery Wilcoxon. “To be able to see the artist get that recognition now was so impactful not only for me but for everyone in the group.”

Learn more about opportunities in Art and Design

News submitted by Mariah Hunter and edited by the Reynolds College Communications team.

Hunter is a graduate assistant for the Department of Art and Design. She is working towards her master’s degree in writing at Missouri State University.

Allen photographs featured in juried exhibition

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Associate Professor Jimmie Allen’s photographic work has been selected for inclusion in “Exposure 2023” at the Photographic Resource Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The exhibit was juried from an international pool of artists from an open call. Allen was one of ten artists chosen from over 160 submissions, and of the five works Allen entered, four were accepted into the show. [Read more…] about Allen photographs featured in juried exhibition