Stoutonia

Issue date: 12/11/08 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: art: Nick Koepke photo: Ashley Tiega Nick Koepke - "untitled," first place

Media Credit: art: Sara Guenther photo: Ashley Tiega Sara Guenthner - "untitled," third place

What do the current art students and alumni of the University Wisconsin-Stout’s ALLC program have in common? More than just the number of hours spent perfecting their artwork; it goes beyond the many sleepless nights spent in Applied Arts. In fact, the commonalities branch deeper than just sharing a major. 

Art students had the opportunity to participate in the first annual Art Living Learning Communities Alumni Show, which was held Nov. 10-14.  Coordinated by Dr. Jean-Marie Dauplaise, Tamara Brantmeier and Kelly Podach, this juried exhibition allowed art students to show their hard work with an opportunity to be awarded prizes for their skills. With this in mind, however, this was an art show that was about more than just pictures and talent. This show, based around UW-Stout’s ALLC program, brought forth reflection of what it means to be connected to other students within one’s major.

In Tamara Brantmeirer’s quiet Drawing I class, a group of ALLC Alumni Show participants and volunteers gathered to share their experiences within the show and also within the Art Living Learning Communities. For Ryan Smith, a junior in art education, being placed into the ALLC his freshman year was an interesting experience.  Through being housed with other art majors, as well as having courses scheduled strictly with those within his major, Ryan found the opportunity to bond with others quite rewarding.  He noted that because he was placed in class sections based on his major, he learned to branch out and realized that “maybe the [other students] aren’t so bad…we ha[d] connections through art.”   Graphic design student Ross Harried was also able to support this idea. He explained that through the ALLC, connections with people were made, and they were connections that in some cases lasted throughout the entirety of his college career.

Josh Sondelski, a senior in graphic design, was part of the test group that was first exposed to the ALLC.  While many students were uncertain of the experience at fist, Josh quickly realized that it was nice to have people with similar interests to talk to all the time—to have familiar people willing and able to give feedback. The availability of open minds to critique work and provide support in the long nights of homework and intense projects have left many ALLC students feeling grateful.

Claire Hilgendorf, another graphic design senior, has found that the ALLC gave her many benefits. Through it, she was able to form strong friendships, strengthen her networking skills, join more professional organizations and learn to appreciate all that her major had to offer.  Above all, she noted that it is networking that has a large role in bringing young professionals where they want to be.  She stated, “You never know where networking will take you.” Multimedia design senior Sarah Guenthner also supported this idea when she added, “What you learn is that you form communities. It’s a fast way to connect students together. Networking is important—you’re able to know so many people, and it keeps expanding.”

For other members of the ALLC, such as graphic design senior Nick Koepke, industrial design senior Katie Lupton, and graphic design senior Andy Kawa, the experience spent learning so closely with other students was beneficial in offering a support system within the major, formulating long-lasting friendships and finding ever-present help and advice on assignments.  However, for many, the growth and personal understanding gained through this experience is amongst the most powerful and rewarding results. Nick Koepke summed it up best when he stated, “This experience is good for learning styles and for gaining a sense of what others can do. However, it’s not about doing one style really well…it’s about learning about your own style as
an artist.”

And while Nick Koepke’s words certainly resound in the art community, they are words that can apply to every student, regardless of major.  In this writer’s eyes, education is not only about subject-related learning. It is the willingness to discover one’s own styles and potential.  While much of this personal learning happens internally, it is those around us—our community— that often offer the most accurate and beneficial understanding of personal strengths, styles and other professional factors.

Though the first annual ALLC Alumni Show is now a memory in the minds of those who participated, its meaning and purpose is something that still resounds in the halls of Applied Arts through the hard work and growth seen in the students’ work and lives.

This was an opportunity for art students to come together to share their art, but more importantly, to share who they have become as young professional artists as a result of their experiences within the programs at UW-Stout. For many, this was their first experience showing their work in a juried exhibit. While this was a phenomenal experience unique to their major, it holds with it lessons that apply to the entire student body.  Education is about more than just books and homework—it is about the relationships and experiences shared with others, and willingness to present oneself proudly to the world.

A Special Thanks goes out from Dr. Dauplaise to:
Ross Harried for doing all the de-installation work alone, our judges, Tom Hollenbeck and Jennifer Astwood, the Dean of Students, Joan Thomas, for beginning the pilot program and supporting the ALLC year in year out, without cease,  Andy Christensen, ALLC ARC Alumnus and PENCO manager, Amy Fichter, Student Gallery Director for Show Hanging 101 and technical assistance, Andy Kawa, show photographer, Andrew
Beckman for show graphic promotion, Denise Goers, Living/Learning Community Coordinator, Tamara Brantmeier and Kelly Podach, co-chairs of this year’s ALLC, Julie Watts, Cynthia Bland, and all of the faculty and administrators who’ve participated with their time, effort and good-will year after year.
Thanks, everyone, for making this year’s first annual show a smashing success!!!

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