The Art Department is drawing both artwork and crowds this spring semester.
The department is bringing in two artists for their Professional Artists Series: Mark Mehaffey, whose exhibit will be from Jan. 31- March 1, and David Lippert from March 21- April 3, artists who are both making their livings in the profession.
Mehaffey’s exhibit will display watercolor paintings of both abstract and representational styles.
Professor of art Samuel Knecht said of Mehaffey: “I wanted to invite him to exhibit here because he’s an artist who has had a great reputation for many years for doing large flamboyant water colors.” Knecht also called watercolors his first love.
Lippert is a Hillsdale graduate who works within a large range of styles and mediums, ranging from photography and illustration, to graphic design and cartoons. He is also president of AutoExec, Inc., a company which creates office technology for vehicles. His exhibit is titled Design Beyond Boundaries.
“It ought to be an interesting show because he’s worked in a large range of materials and is making a living as an artist,” said associate professor of art Barbara Bushey.
“I am excited to bring in Dave Lippert, being a designer myself,” said art instructor Bryan Springer. “It’s nice to have an alumnus come back and share personal experience with students that are getting ready to graduate.”
Besides the visiting artists, the department is also taking a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts, as well as preparing for senior art exhibits. Professor of art Anthony Frudakis said that his senior sculpture students will work all semester on their final projects.
There is also a judged art exhibit open to all art students which features students’ class projects and cash prizes.
Knecht also said he was excited for the thematic competition in April that students may choose to enter. The students must create a work of art on their own in any medium on a certain theme. The theme this year is the Stage of Life. The prize for the competition is $1000 or more.
And if cash prizes and well-known artists are not enough to draw visitors to Sage, Knecht encouraged visitors to come for the beauty of the art itself.
“We want students to appreciate that art can be based upon beauty and a belief that the universe is good and made in an orderly way, and fine art can reflect that,” he said.
