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Show Friday, September 2, 2005 Arts & Entertainment A & E Editor: David Faiichild Phone: 626-7105 New vision ftfe art gallery 7 want to bring in shows that push things a little bit; that help advance the arts in terms of going beyond people's expectations of what an art exhibit should be/' //I By David Fairchild a&e editor | The Signpost A new gallery director has opened the doors of the Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery with a new taste in art. Weber State University figure-drawing instructor Fletcher Booth has taken on his new role as interim gallery director in the Kimbali Arts building. Former gallery director Scott Knauer emphasized in bringing more art from outside the region to give students and faculty a taste of work from distant places. However, Booth has his own individual taste that will bring a new style to the gallery. "It's a one-year interim," said June Phillips, WSU College of Arts and Humanities dean. "We only had a short amount of time to fill the position and we weren't able conduct a full national search." The interim position came after Knauer accepted a directorship in New Jersey this past summer. According to Phillips, the art department was unable to conduct a full national search for a new gallery director .because of Knauer's short notice before leaving WSU. The new interim position will last for one year allowing the art department to properly - Fletcher Booth Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw gallery director Art professor K Stevenson lectures to her two-dimensional art students in the Mary Elizabeth Dee Shaw Gallery. A reception was held Thursday night for the current exhibit. conduct a national search. "Booth is certainly welcome to apply for that position when the time comes," Phillips said. "And we hope he does." Although Knauer has moved away from WSU, his hand will be in this year's lineup of exhibits, including the current exhibit - featuring two-dimensional artist Valerie Hammond and sculptor Kim Cridler. Booth is now responsible for setting up next year's lineup of exhibits and is bringing a fresh approach and new style with him. "I want to bring in shows that push things a little bit; that help advance the arts in terms of going beyond people's expectations of what an art exhibit should be," Booth said. Booth said he wants to tap into the local community and show nearby talent as well as find younger artists. "I want to find stuff that is cutting edge," Booth said. "And that is bordering on challenging, that gets people to think and realize that artwork is much more than fitting within the idea of cliches." Booth wants to bring in shows that will interest the faculty and students as well as the entire community. Faculty members are already looking forward to see what Booth will bring. Faculty member Jeremy Stott is a former student of Booth. Stott said he enjoys Booth's work and believes his style will show on the gallery productions. "I think Fletcher's work is pretty radical," Stott said. "I think he will bring a new flavor; a new spice to the gallery." Some of Booth's "spice" was present last fall when an exhibit of Booth's work was shut down for being believed to be too graphic. Now that Booth is taking on the role of gallery director, he wants to let students know that nudity in art is only a small part of the art world, and should he have any shows that may include nudity, he will make it predominantly known to people before they enter the show. "I don't really anticipate bringing in anything like that," See Gallery page 9 Theater professor returns for encore Free campus fun for students after year-long hiatus with LDS church By Nikki Garrett sr. reporter | The Signpost 1 By Nikki Carrett sr. reporter | The Signpost Students who were new to Weber State University last year have a professor they might not recognize. Jim Christian, WSU director of musical studies, took last year off to be '. an associate producer for "Music and • the Spoken Word" with the Mormon 1 Tabernacle Choir, which airs Sunday j mornings on KBYU. When Christian was offered the opportunity to apply, he thought long and hard about it. // "As the process unfolded, I found it ' to be really interesting," Christian said. "And it just felt like the right thing to do, so I did it." Christian did everything from ( I staging and personnel to hair and makeup. *- "I spearheaded a broadcast featuring eight interpreters from the Utah I Association for the Deaf," Christian said. "They were incorporated into the i choir and they interpreted the songs i from the choir. I went on tour, helped i with music selections, chose artwork. me evaluate whether or not that was something I wanted to do for the next 15 years," Christian said. "What they Weber State University offers many free activities for the student body to enjoy. "Jazz in the Skyroom" is a musical experience that is free to the whole family. On the first Wednesday of every month, WSU brings in guest artists and local artists to perform their music. "It's a great place to go and relax," WSU student Nikki Asay said. "You can even take your dates up there." The Skyroom is above the Shepherd Union Building. "Get there early or else you won't get a seat," Asay said. The Val A Browning Center is home to the WSU Department of Performing Arts, which includes the music, dance and theater departments. Small ensembles such as the Flute Choir are free to the public. Student and faculty recitals are also a fun way to spend an evening. However, children under 8 will not be admitted to anything but "Jazz in the Skyroom." As an added bonus, the WSU Theatre See Christian page 9 See Activities page 9 : j • ! Jim Christian teaches his "Acting for Musical Theatre" class. Christian returned to WSU after working for the Church of jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on its church program, "Music and the Spoken Word." It was a jack-of-all-jobs." However, Christian said he was glad to be back at WSU. "There were some experiences that put me in a mindset that made |