FRIDAY,JANUARY 17,2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 34
Art teachers set to display their talents Annual art faculty show slated to start this weekend
Eric Braem/Kansan
Burdett Loomis, professor of government at KU, stands in front of part of a series of works by professor of art Gerry Lubensky. Loomis collects art from KU professors to display in his Lawrence home. The School of Fine Arts will open faculty art exhibit Sunday in the Art and Design building.
By Lauren Bristow
lbristow@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
University of Kansas art and design students are used to having their work critiqued by professors. But the roles will be reversed starting Sunday when approximately 20 art faculty members will display their creations in the annual art faculty show.
Paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs will be on display in the Art and Design gallery which is usually reserved for students' work.
"The exhibition allows students, other faculty and the general public an opportunity to view the work created by the KU art faculty," said Judith McCrea, chairwoman of the art department.
McCrea said faculty were expected to display work in the show as part of the learning experience for students.
"It's important for students because it lets them see what the faculty engage in and to see their research work," said Roger Shimomura, distinguished professor in painting and performance art. "It's also important for the public because it shows that what the faculty is trying to teach their students, they are engaging in themselves."
Art and design students agree that the viewing of faculty's work is beneficial to their learning.
"It's a great opportunity for us," said Pat McNamee, Leavenworth sophomore. "It gives you an idea of what professionals produce and the quality you should work for."
The exhibition also allows professors to display work that is not included in their area of expertise.
Peter Thompson, former dean of Art and Design and a professor in painting and life drawing, will be displaying a digital photograph.
"I haven't decided which image I'm going to display yet," Thompson said. "I do know that it is going to be an image taken in my garage though."
The show will open Sunday during a public reception from 2 to 4 p.m. McCrea said exhibitions were usually visited by faculty and students because of inadequate parking for the general public.
"We do have several very loyal supporters," McCrea said. "But we definitely need a more public gallery."
"I haven't decided which image I'm going to display yet. I do know that it is going to be an image taken in my garage though."
Peter Thompson
Painting and Life Drawing Professor
Burdett Loomis, a professor in political science and his wife. Michel, have been supporters of the KU art department for more than 15 years.
amount of talent on the KU art faculty," Loomis said. "We travel quite often, and we frequently come to the conclusion that the quality and value is highly competitive."
Thompson said the faculty show had been an annual event since about 1967 and was previously housed at the gallery in the Kansas Union. It moved to the Art and Design Building when the building opened in 1977.
"There is a tremendous
The show will run through Jan. 31 in the Art and Design Gallery located on the third floor of the Art and Design Building.
— Edited by Ryan Wood
KU study abroad program ranks top of the world in student participation
By Vonna Keomanyong
vkeomanyong@kansan.com
Kansan staffwriter
The University of Kansas study abroad program ranks third in the nation among public research universities in the percentage of students participating in study abroad, according to a recent survey by the Institute of International Education. Open Doors 2002.
1,141 KU students participated in study abroad programs during the 2000-2001 school year representing about 23 percent of graduating KU students in 2001.
The University ranks No.17 among public and private research institutions in the total number of students studying abroad.
Overall, KU ranks ninth among all public and private research universities in the percentage of students participating in study abroad.
The survey also reports:
Support from faculty and administration is part of the study abroad program's success, Stacie Vincent, outreach coordinator, said.
"They play an important role both in developing programs and promoting study abroad to their students," Vincent said. "Professors encourage study abroad opportunities because (studentu) will enhance their degree to have that international component to their studies."
According to Vincent, 15 more students participated in study abroad since 2001.
Meghan Brune, Omaha,
"I think that really shows that you can be independent and diplomatic and work with a variety of people."
Robin Merrit Study Abroad Administration Specialist
Neb., junior, participated in a summer language institute in Florence, Italy, six months ago. Brune, a Journalism and Italian major, said she always wanted to participate in the program.
"There's so much that I don't know about the world, so I think it's very important to learn about another culture," Brune said. "They really try to get you to learn the language, so they're really focused on helping us. It was just a good comprehensive program."
Participating in study abroad can also help students on a professional level, Vincent said.
Robin Merritt, administrative specialist for study abroad, said her participation in a summer language program in Paris, France, helped her get a job at the University.
"I think that really shows that you can be independent and diplomatic and work with a variety of people," Merritt said.
Other schools on the top ten list include the University of Notre Dame, Yeshiva University, Cornell University and the University of Delaware.
Edited by Christy Dendurent