A Note From Editor, Carol Ford

Gentle readers,

As editor of the Science & Math Division Alumni Newsletter, I am usually the invisible entity behind the scenes adding new feature articles and updating the newsletter's homepage.   This time, however, I feel compelled to make an observation about, well, scientists.  

Being a humanities grad myself (literature and creative writing), I guess you could say I had prejudices in my mind regarding scientists.   When I came to work for Sci & Math 13 years ago, I assumed I would be surrounded by serious folks who devote their attention exclusively to mysterious lab potions and complex formulaic theories.   Certainly there couldn't be anyone in Science & Math interested in the arts!  

It didn't take long to realize how wrong I was.   As it turns out, I have learned that scientists are the true renaissance men and women of our day because in addition to their curiosity about their specific scientific studies, they also are strong supporters and participants in the arts.

One small example of this well-rounded appreciation for artistic endeavor is the new Science building's growing collection of artwork by UMM students.   The acquisition of this collection falls to our Division Chair, Michael Korth.  

I asked Dr. Korth to share some information about our student art collection with our alumni.   That way, you can stroll the halls of our building on your next visit and enjoy a fuller appreciation of the artwork that adorns our hallowed halls!

What year was the first item of student artwork purchased for the new building?

Dr. Korth : Early in 2002, just after the renovation of the old part of the science building was completed, I hung a reframed drawing of horses by Deborah Thomasetti (class of '80), in the new division office. (Jim Olson had donated the drawing to the division when he retired in 2001.)

That was the first student art piece formally hung in the building. Then in the spring of 2002, Van Gooch spotted two paintings of snakes at the annual student art exhibit and suggested that the division acquire them for display in the new wing of the building. I contacted the student, Janie Manaski, and arranged for the purchase. One of the snake paintings is now hanging in the science atrium and the other is in the hallway across from Gooch's office.

Why did you decide to seek out artwork by students for the Science & Math complex?

Dr. Korth: When the new science building was being built (1998-2000), one percent of the funds were set aside for art, in conformity with state guidelines. This was used to hire an artist to create several pieces that became part of the building and it's grounds, but the results of that process were concentrated in just a few locations. I wanted to see artwork distributed more widely throughout the building in order to create a more attractive environment that people would enjoy being in and that would encourage people to respect the building and take care of it.

When there were many positive reactions to the original artwork by UMM students in the building, the plan to intentionally get more pieces by UMM students began to take shape. A few art pieces that were not created by UMM students were hung in the new building during the first year after its opening but my current plan is to only hang works by UMM students in the future.

What is your plan for acquiring student artwork into the future?

Dr. Korth: Every year, I go to the senior art show during the final few weeks of the spring semester and look for possible new items to acquire. I have also asked faculty whether they recommend anything at the show. The science building has a lot of available space for future artwork so we can continue picking up one or two new pieces each spring for many years.

What are you looking for when you select student artwork?

Dr. Korth: That's difficult to answer. I suppose I look for pieces that I find interesting or pieces that I think other people will be interested in. I do not look for pieces with an explicit science or math theme although some of the pieces we have could certainly be considered to reflect that. Many of the pieces that I've personally selected exhibit a kind of interesting complexity that allow a viewer to look at the piece and see more in it the longer they look. As a consequence, most of the newer pieces are not examples of realism.

One of the 2006 student art acquisitions is Emily Lyman's collograph, intaglio, drypoint, waterless lithograph, "Just Not Cut Out."

Janie Manaski (UMM'02) created "Common Cornsnakes" (above) and "After Thamnophis" (below) using acrylics on canvas.

Gyles Fohl's (UMM 2004) drawing on paper entitled "Circular Growth"

"Cross Section of a Leaf" is an encaustic plaster creation by Jenny Steberg (UMM'02), who majored in Studio Art and Biology.

RoseMary Kimball's (UMM'03) digital print entitled "Collection #1."