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Show www.thespectrum.com — The Spectrum ST. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS ART e Continued from pg. 12 unteers. The gallery has five major shows each year in addition to a variety of exhibits — like Mickelson’s — in the foyer. Cieslewicz says they need sponsors for each of the shows and may even need funding for her position as curator at some point. An artist Unlike some curators, Cieslewicz is also an artist herself. She works in oil paints, soft pastels and watercolors as well as printmaking. Currently she is exploring installation art, like her contribution to the current show celebrating Zion National Park at the St. George Art Museum. Cieslewicz has taught art in Sanpete and Salt Lake counties as well as locally at DSC and at Mohave Community College in Colorado City, where she currently teaches drawing, watercolors and art history. She earned a bachelor of arts degree with an emphasis in drawing and painting from Southern Utah University. She has been the curator at the Sears Art Gallery since it first.opened in 2004. As an artist, Cieslewicz says the shows give her the chance to exhibit her own creativity. Each show is different and often combines work from a variety of artists. The time and creativity required to hang each show can be demanding. As _ curator Cieslewicz must create the design, the flow, the look and the feel of each exhibit. . “That really is a lot of fun? she says. The current show, Art for Animals, features a variety of pieces depicting myriad animals with a focus on dogs and cats. It’s a fundraiser for Best Friends Animal ’ Sanctuaryin Kanab that calls awareness to the staggering number of animals euthanized in the United States. Kathy Cieslewicz, curator of the Sears Art Gallery at Dixie State College, stands in the gallery at the Eccles Fine Arts Walking through the gallery, Cieslewicz reminisces about the challenges she encountered while designing the exhibit, yet it’s obvious she enjoyed every minute of it. She says there are many things to consider when designing an exhibit. “Sometimes it’s a matter of moving a pedestal three inches, she says. Lighting is also a consideration, as is how the pieces look next to each other. The ultimate goal is finding the perfect location for each piece. : Yet Cieslewicz feels lucky to have the Sears Art Gallery to work with. “In this gallery there are no bad places,’ she says. She credits Glen Blakley, an art professor at the college and a former director of the St. George Art Museum, for teaching much of what she knows about her role as a curator. Other roles Her duties as curator, however, go beyond organizing and designing the shows. Cieslewicz is also involved in a variety of other projects on campus. She works tions manager which means responsibility of the pieces as the collecand registrar, she has the of locating all of art in the For the week of December 5, 2008 — 13 open by late spring. Cieslewicz describes it as a “huge, huge undertaking” but is excited for what it will offer, including display space for about 20 sculptures and a large reflecting pool. “Tt will be very inviting; she says. “It will be something the whole community can enjoy and be proud of” Additionally she hopes to eventually create a walking tour of other sculptures on campus. The idea is to create a podcast that people can download for their cell phones or MP3 players and play as they take the selfguided tour. However, the _ gallery remains her primary endeavor and Cieslewicz hopes residents — students, families, “everyone” — will take time to enjoy the gallery. She says it’s a great place to learn about art and artists. It’s also a good spot for quiet contemplation, she adds. Most of the art that shows Brian Passey / St. George Neighborhoods at the gallery is for sale and, Building. Cieslewicz has been the curator at the gallery because the gallery is part since it first opened in 2004. of a non-profit organization, college's permanent collec- permanent collection. She a portion of all purchases is consults with art consertion and electronically catatax-deductible. During the vationists from across the loguing them. Sears Invitational 35 perUnited States in this under“That will probably take cent of the proceeds from several years to get all of that taking. each piece helps fund the Another project she catalogued, she says, addery: recently took on is aredesign ing that she would appreciShe believes it’s imporof the American Indian arti- tant to build an art comate volunteers to’ help with facts exhibit in the Browning data input. munity in Southern Utah Building on campus. For 25 and make it a place where As part of this responsibility she is also in charge of years these artifacts have * art collectors will know they resided in a glass case with can come to enjoy art. She repairing artwork from the no labels and no cleaning. also believes it’s important Cieslewicz secured a few to prepare the younger gensmall grants to facilitate the erations to appreciate and redesign, which will result in support the visual arts. Cieslewicz says she strives better care for the historic for variety in the exhibits so and artistic artifacts. people with different tastes “It will be more educacan have the opportunity to tional, more aesthetic,’ she see art they enjoy. says. “I don't expect everyone Yet another major responto like every show; art isn't sibility Cieslewicz has now supposed to be like that, is the role of project manager for the new Kathryn she says. Lloyd Richards Sculpture However, she hopes peoGarden on the north side ple will take the time to give of the Eccles Building. The try something new and look garden is currently under deeper to find the message construction and will likely of the art in the exhibits. 2 |