“Sam Richards: Constructed Sculpture, Part II” is a follow-up to the 2012 exhibition of Richards’ work at the Cressman Center. The exhibit features late constructed wood sculptures that embody themes and ideas that occupied Richards throughout his career and demonstrate how his lasting influence as a teacher, mentor and faculty member derives from the power of his art. Richards taught at UofL from 1975 until his death in 1994 at the age of 47.
On Tuesday, Sept. 10, Scott Massey, Joe McGee, Joseph Smith and Melinda Walters, some of Richards’ former students, will give a public panel discussion on his work at 3 p.m. in Schneider Hall Galleries. A reception will follow.
Trained in indigo farming and dyeing in Japan, “Rowland Ricketts’ Immanent Blue Installation” showcases the artist’s use of natural dyes and historical processes to create contemporary textiles that span art and design.
“I find great value in this connection indigo provides to greater human traditions of living and making. Of equal value to me is the time and energy I invest in the farming, processing and fermenting of this dye,” said Ricketts of his work. “As a dyer I strive to transfigure all the energy of human endeavor expended on this dye so that its vitality lends its life to and lives on in the dyed cloth.”
Ricketts, an assistant professor in textiles at Indiana University’s Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Art, will give a lecture in the Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library, Thursday, Sept. 19, at 3 p.m. A reception will follow the lecture in the Schneider Hall Galleries.
“Precedents: 3 Hite Scholars” features three Hite Scholarship recipients from the first decade that the gift was established. Margaret Braden Merida graduated from UofL in 1959 and worked as an arts and humanities teacher for Jefferson County Public Schools for more than 30 years. Carolyn Browning Weng graduated received her MA from UofL in 1958. She served as a faculty member at Oakland City College for 13 years, and E. Gordon West has been exhibited in more than 70 regional and national competitions and earned more than 40 awards.
“These three artists have set the precedent of continued artistic production for more than six decades,” writes Dario Covi, professor emeritus and exhibition curator. There will be a reception for the exhibit Thursday, Sept. 12, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Schneider Hall Galleries.
The exhibitions will run through Sunday, Sept. 29.
