“There was an open generosity about

Ma-Po Kinnord that made me feel welcomed

immediately and we quickly fell into an almost sisterly rapport. By the time I left we were planning a trip to Ghana together.

“The water from Katrina came in about four feet into this studio. The fired pottery floated, then sank, and most of it broke. A few of the fired pieces were salvaged, but the unfired works were all

lost. I also lost some of my mother’s antiques. The stairs floated away.

There is something about desperation that translates into sincerity. Once you’ve succeeded in any part of your life the danger is staying there. You have to then try and evolve. For me I have to evolve or I will be oppressed. It doesn’t matter whether you are wealthy or poor, there are always circumstances that a human

being is trying to overcome. Creativity is going to save you. It’s what helps you survive. This is therapy for me.”

Inside this Issue:

Explore “ARTIST SPACES” by Tina Freeman, Photographer features Ron Bechet, and Ma-Po Kinnord

1

“The Wall of Contemplation” by Lloyd Bennett ‘60 Dedicated to Father Moses Anderson, S.E.E.

2

‘JRenee Art Exhibition’ The Department of Art Presents: “Visions” by Jennifer Johnson ‘89

2

Congratulations: Ashley Gragg, Art Major ‘Miss Freshman’ 2014—2015

3

DiQuan Forcell, Art Major Selected “Young Ambassador” Xavier’s ‘Confucius Institute’

3

Edna Lanieri, Photography Instructor is exhibiting two new bodies of work at the ‘Front’

3

Longue Vue Student Art Exhibition features ‘Intro to Ceramics’ Students Guided by MaPo Kinnord

3

Student Artist of the Month:

‘Artwork by Kara Crowley’

4

Senior Student Art Exhibition:

“Rubbing the Surface of Me”

by Monie Bowles

4

Inside this Issue

The

Gestalt

Department of Art Newsletter Professor Ron Bechet’s ‘Piece’…

Welcome Back XUArt Alumni!

The Art Village

3520 Pine Street

(across from Main Campus)

Business Mailing Address

Xavier University of Louisiana

1 Drexel Drive

New Orleans, LA 70125

Phone: 504-520-7556

Fax: 504-520-7949

www.xula.edu/art

01 De c e m b e r

2 0 1 4

I S S U E

Congratulations!

Ashley Gragg, Art Major Xavier University of Louisiana

Crowned Miss Freshman 2014-2015!

Explore “ARTIST SPACES” by Tina Freeman, Photographer… “When I first arrived, Ron was working on a new series of black and

white paintings. The swirls reminded me of a satellite photograph of

Ron Bechet’s paintings of

trees interest me not

because they portray the

wide, open landscape, but

r a t h e r t h e t a n g l e s ,

contorted, difficult, and

confused landscape that we

have her in south Louisiana.”

My wife Troi and I have boundaries, the studio

is my space and the house is hers. Having a

pace—-that sense of ownership-is important.

My studio makes me feel lucky and provides for

e sense of gratitude. But it also supplies another

feeling. I remember John Scott used to say to me

that a studio was a privilege and a jail cell.

It compelled him to for his work. But putting in

twelve to fourteen hours a day kept him from

other things. Like John, my own studio makes me

feel I have a responsibility to produce. The responsibility is not only to produce, but to do so to the

best of my abilities.”

The Gesta l t Page 2

December 2014

Lloyd Bennett ‘60 Shares his ‘Piece’ of Xavier’s Art History… “Mosaic Wall of Contemplation” Xavier University of Louisiana Art Collection

Dedicated to the memory of Father Moses Anderson, S.S.E. ‘68

Xavier University of Louisiana

Department of Art Presents: Visions” by Jennifer Johnson

“My wish is that all of humanity views my work as a heavenly place where they find comfort.” “JRenee practices the technique of reverse glass painting. She has had solo exhibitions at Ponder Art Gallery at Benedict College in Columbia, S.C., and the McKenna Museum of African-American Art and the International House Hotel, both in New Orleans. Her paintings have been in group exhibitions in New York City; Charleston, S.C., Washington D.C., and New Orleans. She was featured in several Haitian exhibits at the United Nations, MoCADA Museum, CCCADA Art Institute all in New York.

JRenee’s work is in the collections of Southern University in Baton Rouge, the W.E.B. DuBois Museum in Ghana, and the McKenna Museum of African-American Art. She holds a BFA rom Xavier . JRenee currently lives in South Carolina where she was a part of the SC Biennial 2011 at the Contemporary Center of the Arts. She was nominated to participate in a juried exhibition for Arts Field in Lake City, South Carolina.

Artwork on Display in the Department of Music Gallery

Xavier University of Louisiana Department of Art www.xula.edu/art

Location and History of the “Mosaic Wall of Contemplation”

“This Mosaic Art Wall” is located on the ground floor at the center of the Administration Building in the original Xavier’s Chapel.

In Sping of 1974, the Rev. Moses B. Anderson, S.S.E. ‘68, then the Chaplain of Xavier University of Louisiana obtained a grant from the

Danforth Foundation to be used for renovation of the Chapel. Father Moses consulted with Lloyd Walter Bennett, Jr. ‘60, then

a professor of Art Education and Fine Arts regarding the construction of a suitable background for a tabernacle and wood altar made by

Julius Saul ‘59. John Scott ‘62, then Chair of the Art Department participated in the discussion. The result of which was a challenge to

Bennett to design a freestanding wall..

The approved design was a combination of ceramics and wood, with ceramic, bronze and wood tiles mounted within a wooden

ladder-like framework. The decoration on the tiles incorporated Ashanti Adinkra symbols and other representations of the

African-American experience which complemented the Priest’s kente cloth vestments.”

‘Professor Bennett’s thoughts upon completion’: “The recreation of this wall is an effort of love, devotion, dedication and sacrifice on the

part of several persons, spearheaded by the inspiration and determination of Father Moses Anderson. Father’s belief and conf idence in

people, especially young people helped to create the wall. This wall is not an end in itself, but only one of many milestones in their

renewed awakening and involvement of the total community at here at Xavier.”

Photos courtesy of Lloyd Bennett ‘60

December 2014 The Gesta l t Page 3

Xavier University of Louisiana Department of Art www.xula.edu/art

Congratulations!

~ Ashley Gragg, Art Major Crowned Miss Freshman 2014 –2015

DiQuan Forcell, XUArt Major Selected “Young Ambassador” Represents Xavier’s ‘Confucius Institute’ to promote United States/China Relations 101 K Strong Foundation Conference in Washington D.C.

“DiQuan Forcell along with Ashley Douglas, Amber Douglas and Alexis Greer were selected by Xavier Confucius Institute to represent the University as “Young Ambassadors” at the 100 K Strong Foundation Conference in Washington DC. on November 18—19, 2014. The conference was held in an effort to promote United States/China relations. During this conference we, the young ambassadors, from across the Country who previously visited China were allows to network and speak with other individuals who also got to experience the Chinese culture first hand. We also received information about different scholarships.

Edna Lanieri is exhibiting two new bodies of work at the Front (The Front • 4100 St. Claude Avenue • New Orleans, LA 70117 Saturday & Sunday 12 to 5 pm)

The exhibition is titled “Votive Offerings and Relics” and it is part of the PhotoNOLA weekend of events. PhotoNOLA http://photonola.org We will be having a special opening Dec. 6th from 6-9 for PhotoNOLA and artist talk in the gallery on Dec. 7th.

PhotoNOLA http://photonola.org/event/the-front-4/

Longue Vue Student Art Exhibition

Thursday, December 11, 2014 2pm—4pm

Features ‘Intro to Ceramics’ Art Students

Guided by MaPo Kinnord Associate Professor of Art

Ashley Gragg, 1st left

Photo by Irving Johnson, III

Photos by Edna Lanieri

Photo by MaPo Kinnord

Bill Summers

Afro-Cuban

Bata Drum

Performance & Lecture

Hosted by Music, AADS, and Art

Thursday , December 4, 2014

Administration Building Auditorium

5pm—8pm

XUArt ‘Student Artist’ of the Month features “Art of Kara Crowley”

The Gesta l t Page 4

December 2014

Xavier University of Louisiana Department of Art www.xula.edu/art

A native New Orleans and sophomore at Xavier University, Kara

found her interest in art at an early age of 4 years old and began

drawing cartoons from certain Disney animations, such as Toy Story,

Bug’s Life, and other Pixar animations. Over the years, she started

progressing in my talent from drawing cartoons into drawing

people, buildings, landscape sceneries, self-portraits, etc. She then

changed mediums in art and began painting during my first year of

high school (Xavier University Preparatory High School) while

attending an afterschool program known as YAYA

(Young Aspiration – Young Artists). They’ve helped her so much

into to becoming a better artist and experience with different mediums. She’s also

displayed some of her work at Xavier Department of Art Year-End Student Exhibition, the Ogden Museum,

White Linen Night, Just Say YAYA! (YAYA year end event), Art Has

A Home, House of the Young, and more.

Kara’s choices are either to become an artist, an art teacher, get involved with illustration or animation. Her dream is to use my love of art to uplift and inspire others. With these following choices, she then decided to major in Visual Arts at Xavier University of Louisiana. Since she has mostly done cartoons, drawings, and paintings to build up her art skills. And judging from the Alumni that graduated from there and succeeded, she knows that Xavier University is a great college and will guide her wherever she needs to go in life.

National Black Society of Engineers Convention Crowne Plaza 4728 Constitution Ave, Baton Rouge, LA

November 15, 2014, Kara artwork was on display at the National Society of Black En-gineers Convention, which helps for young African-American leaders to help sell their products to the best and brightest engineering professionals in the world. The colle-giate, graduate, technical professional and Board of Corporate Affiliate members will be able to buy the students products and services throughout the three-day conference. They have a chance to market themselves and form new partnerships. Kara will also feature the “Lady Magnolia Series” along with some other pieces as well.

‘Senior Show ’... Art Exhibition featuring “Rubbing The Surface of Me”

December 1—10th

The Art Village Gallery

3520 Pine Street

New Orleans, LA 70125

‘Black Tie Affair’

Closing Reception December 10th

4pm—6pm

Photos by Kara Crowley

by Monie Bowles, Art Major