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Show CampusNews Page 2 Mondday, Nov. 14, 2011 Exhibit encourages art collectors to 'Start Small' BY LIS STEWART staff writer When Ryan Riedel saw the painting of a foot-long hot dog at an art show, he knew it was too good to pass up. "I have this sick fascination with hot dogs," said Riedel, a senior majoring in painting and drawing. "I love hot dogs. So I saw it — I was like, 'I have to have this piece. I have to have it.'" The painting, which normally hangs above Riedel's bed, is one of many pieces of student-owned artwork on display in the Starting Small art exhibit at the Twain Tippetts Exhibition Hall at USU through Dec. 1. At the opening reception Friday night, students, professors and community members examined artwork loaned by students from their private collections. The exhibit will hopefully inspire students to start their own art collections now, said Brady Mathews, a senior majoring in interior design who helped curate the exhibit. Curating this project was a learning experience, said Trissta Lyman, a graduate student majoring in interior design. "The four of us who curated are also starting our own (collections), so we were also doing research for ourselves when we were collecting the other students' (pieces)," Lyman said. She said there was good feedback from other students who have their own collections, both before and after the curators started asking around for donations. The show has multiple works donated by eight students and more than 15 artists are represented. The curators each explained the possibilities students have for collecting artwork when budgets are tight. Curator and ceramics graduate student Megan Mitchell said making trades with other students is one of the easiest ways to collect. A lot of students are willing to sell artwork inexpensively. Riedel agreed. "Students here, we kind of have a disadvantage of other students that at the end of the semester we don't have books to sell back. We do have plenty of artwork, though." He said students should look at From Page 1 International students team with Diversity weren't in the pageant simply to win, but were eager to share their culture with the audience. The judges also look for contestants who are articulate and enjoying themselves, she added. "All week it's different cultures coming together, but they aren't showing us everything," said Meite, a sophomore majoring in public relations. "Like the cookout — you can't experience the whole culture by trying the food. In the international pageant they get to know your background. Even the way you answer a question can relate to where you came from." The pageant and other events throughout the week are especially beneficial to international students, so they can feel a sense of community, she said, which can sometimes be difficult to find. "I just want to embrace differences," said Brooke Evans, ASUSU Diversity vice president. "Everyone has really great things about them and their background that they have to offer. It's not just multicultural diversity." The focus of this year's International/Diversity Week is helping students understand they are a diverse part of society, Evans said. Every individual has different heritages, sexual preferences, family dynamics and interests, which makes USU the institution it is, she said. "We are more diverse than we think," Evans said, "This is a structured way for students to share their culture, and hopefully they can spark connections that way." For the first time, Evans will head an art project known as "Tall Painting." Students will take a cup of paint and slowly add their color to a piece of plywood constructed by USU student Jake Taylor. Dozens of colors create the final piece, which may find its home in the new art building cafe, Evans said. "It's one tiny thing on campus that makes you feel a little bit at home," Evans said. "It doesn't matter what color your paint is, you are contributing to the university." Korean Drummers will stage their presence during the International Fashion Show where traditional dress from almost every continent may be seen. A few times throughout the week students can view documentaries addressing international issues, including Africa's blood diamonds, drug trafficking in Colombia and dolphin hunting in Japan. "ISC is doing the same thing ASUSU does," Orr said. "We are trying to improve student life for the entire student body and maybe that's a perspective the student body and Student Services don't see." Orr requested an international student representative be placed on the ASUSU Executive Council last year. Instead, he said, the council approved the formation of culture committee, which is now composed of five people. "I think it's so profound and innovative to see that this school in Logan, Utah, has been promoting culture in such a dynamic way for half a century," Orr said. "That inspires me so much. It's part of our heritage." the classwork on display in the art building hallways. Go to the art office with the name of the class, and often a student or professor will send an email with an offer, he said. Learning how to strike deals with artists and gallery owners is important to collecting, especially on a budget. To Riedel, who said he saves his money to buy art, dealing is important to getting the pieces he wants. He said if he really wants a piece that is outside his current budget allowance, he asks if he can pay in installments. Through the years, Riedel has bargained and traded for more than 100 pieces of artwork. Stacked on shelves, the floor, in tubes, in closets and in boxes at his house, his collection is a constantly growing effort that started 12 years ago. Collecting for him is not an investment, but an enjoyment, he said. Quoting American art collectors Herbert and Dorothy Vogels, Riedel said, "You don't read every book you own every second of the day, but it's nice to know that you have the opportunity to read the book when you want. And it's the same with art. You don't need to look at every piece you own, but it's nice that you have the ability to look at those artworks." Students who collect now have the opportunity to get artwork that may be more valuable after the artist gets famous. This is an advantage to those starting their collections now vs. later, art Professor Chuck Landvatter said. The name "Starting Small" is a perfect name for what curators of the exhibit aim to convey, Landvatter said. "I started extremely small — sketches and drawings from friends," he said. "When I was about 15, I had a friend come and spray paint my room. He did the closet doors. He's one of the biggest graphic designers in the snowboard industry right now." Lyman said online is a great place to find artwork. One of the contributing students got a set of Bill McRight prints from CannonballPress.com for $20 each. There are pieces from nationally, as well as locally, known artists in the show, she said. Landvatter said collecting from local artists and friends increases the value people have for their pieces. "This is the idea: You want artwork for your home that didn't come from Bed, Bath and Beyond — right? — and Walmart." Landvatter said. "So you start personalizing it by getting from friends. It means more when you know the person. I don't know van Gogh, you know what I mean? And everyone else has van Gogh, anyway." Megan Evans, one of the curators of the exhibit, said the value of a piece isn't necessarily monetary. It just has to mean a lot to the collector. Sometimes there is a backstory, and sometimes it strikes the artist in a meaningful way. Riedel said his passion for art collecting is what keeps him going. "I love art without abandon," he said. "I would rather buy art than food." - la.stewart@aggiemail.usu.edu Street parking restricted between 1-5 a. m. starting Nov. 15 PARKING ON THE STREETS OF LOGAN will be restricted starting Nov. I5, between the hours of 1-5 a.m., in accordance with Logan City law. For full details see Briefs on Page 3. CARL R.WILSON photo illustration Diversity/International Education Week 2011 Monday, Nov. 14 11:30 a.m. 7 p.m. - 1 p.m. - ISC Fashion Show, TSC lounges Thursday, Nov. 17 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Korean Drummers and Cultural Fair, TSC Lounges - Film: "Maria Full of Grace," TSC Auditorium Tuesday, Nov. 15 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. -Tai Student Association Cookout, Friday, Nov. 18 7 p.m. ISC Mr. and Miss International Pageant, Eccles Conference Center - $3.00 - TSC Patio ALL DAY 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - - International Dress Day Film: "The Cove," TSC Auditorium Saturday, Nov. 19 Film: "Blood Diamonds," TSC Auditorium Wednesday, Nov. 16 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - Tall Painting, The Hub 12 - 3 p.m. 11:30 a.m. - Stuff-a-Bus service project, Sam's Club Loaves and Fishes Thanksgiving Dinner, First Presbyterian Church, 12 South 200 West, Logan — All invited, free of charge - International Cookout, TSC Patio - catherine.meidell@aggiemail.usu.edu here the Locals Eat! THE DOUBLE BARREL BREAKFAST IS 2 PANCAKES, 2 EGGS, 2 SAUSAGE LINKS, 2 STRIPS OF BACON. THE DOUBLE DECKER COMBO IS SERVED WITH FRIES AND A DRINK. |