U.S. History and Recent Acquisitions 2012

U.S. History, Volumes I and II:  A Print Exhibition
Recent Acquisitions of the USI Art Collection
January 17 - March 19, 2012

The Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries proudly presents two new exhibits: U.S. History, Volumes I and II:  A Print Exhibition, and Recent Acquisitions of the USI Art Collection. Both shows will be on view January 17 – March 19, 2012, Monday – Friday 10 am – 4 pm and on Sundays from 1 pm – 5 pm.

The U.S. History Volumes I (1774 – 1809) and II (1810  - 1845) exhibition features the first two installments of a major print portfolios project initiated by USI art graduate Brandon Gardner, now assistant professor of art at the University of Alabama at Huntsville.  He has asked 35 fine art printmakers to create prints based on thirty-year cycles in American history; the portfolios will eventually cover all years from 1774 to the present.   Each artist is assigned a year and researches an event or person, famous or not, to use as inspiration for his/her print.  The participating printmakers are well-known artists from throughout the United States and they work in a wide variety of print techniques, including lithography, intaglio etching, monoprints, woodcut, and screen printing.  The results are visually delightful and educational as well.  Volume I was completed in 2010. Volume II was finished in July, 2011, and the McCutchan Art Center/Pace Galleries is the first venue for its exhibit.  Andrew Kosten, assistant professor of printmaking at USI is one of the participating artists, and the coordinator of the display.  Brandon Gardner will comment upon the project and the exhibit at 3 pm during the artists’ reception on Sunday, February 5.  The reception will feature light refreshments from 2 – 4 pm and the public is cordially invited to attend. 

The second exhibit presents some of the newer additions to the USI Art Collection, acquired from artists and friends of the University. On display are photographs by former USI student Michael Pugh, paintings by Stephen Pace, sculpture and drawing by Katherine Taylor, and artworks purchased from the 2010 and 2011 USI Juried Student art Exhibitions by Veronica Koester and Wes Dossett.