Student Spotlight: Jo Van Loo, Fabric Artist

Jo VanLoo is a fabric artist, specifically working in the medium of quilting for eighteen years. Her quilts have been exhibited in national shows, and are currently showing in the Center for Performing Arts Gallery.

From Jo's blog:

Some of my quilts emphasize aesthetics and craft; others meaning and relationships, and others make socio-political statements. Some speak to all three.

Tomb of the Unknown Quilter

Tomb of the Unknown Quilter

I love the inter-mingling passion, storytelling and, tactile nature of fabric arts. Using commercial and hand dyed fabrics I am able to express my feelings using a variety of manipulations and methods. 
Ceiling View. Inspired by Jo's trip to Hagai Sophia in Instabul, 2011.

Ceiling View. Inspired by Jo's trip to Hagai Sophia in Instabul, 2011.

Because I was a teacher for more than thirty years, I love to share my passion for quilting with others through quilting classes. I have taught quilt making in Canada, the United States, Uganda, Haiti, and Nicaragua. Through teaching the art and craft of quilting, I have become a learner of culture, of values, of life. 

Las Cocinaras

Las Cocinaras

View Jo's complete gallery, blog and shop at her website: www.jomamavl.com

Grass Roots Effort: ART 113 Color Installation

As artists, we must engage with our world. For this project students were asked to select a public issue that is important to them; it may be women’s issues, the environment, global warming, health care, a particular disease or disability, the homeless, politics, war. Within their theme, they were asked to make a series of mini "lawn" flags that were then displayed near classroom J141. Their set of 4 flags revolved around the central theme of their choosing.

Installation created by students in Ann Morton's ART 113 Color class. 

Student Spotlight: Sonja Torres

Introduction to Art (ARH 100) teaches the student the understanding and enjoyment of art through the study of painting, sculpture, architectural design, photography, and the decorative arts. There is an emphasis on contemporary topics and cultural diversity in the arts. Visual artist Sonja Torres turned her ARH 100 class into an Honors Project. This large scale painting was the visual component of her final presentation. 

"Sonja's inspiration for the piece was the idea of harmony through diversity, nourished by the natural environment. She wanted to show a green utopia where humankind lives in harmony with both nature and each other." - Tomi Johnston, Fine Arts Faculty