SPRING SHOWCASE 2005
By Rochelle Trotman
Issue date: 4/19/05 Section: Campus News
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The evening began with a reception in the Lobby of the Center for Academic Success (CAS), where guests had the chance to view stations displaying the works of Kean students and enjoy the Photography Exhibit of Guillermo Thorn in the CAS Gallery. The Department of Theatre had two tables featuring Costume Construction by Karen Hart and Make-up, where Helen McTernan and Karen Borga used their faces as canvases in order to bring life to their characters. On behalf of the Department of Music, students including Monica Fontaine and Jose Valencia played piano and guitar respectively. The department of Design boasted three tables, the first at which Graphic Design student, Parag Desar displayed his work in Typography. With him, Parag had his student portfolio and samples of projects that had been created for actual clients through the Design Center. Senior Industrial Design major, Natzar Garitia explained to those looking at the colorful duck on a computer screen in front of her, that she was using a program called Rhino, which does computer aided drafting. Natzar was very proud to announce that Kean's Industrial Design Program (which is the only one in New Jersey) is in its fourth year, which means it will be graduating its first class this May. At the Interior Design table, senior Glaucia Araujo explained that many people confuse Interior Design with Interior Decorating. She clarifies that Interior Designers specialize in floor and space planning. Glaucia even explains the steps in the process of how a well laid out room progresses from a simple concept board.
At the Fine Arts tables, students demonstrate techniques they have learned throughout the semester. Rosie Singalewitch, a senior graduating in January, sits at the Watercolor station. She explains that the paintings in front of her were once called tole paintings but are now called Decorative Paintings. This style of work has its roots in 18th century France, but was adapted during Colonial times. The student sitting next to her from the Printmaking table explains to an interested person that she is using linoleum cut, and that printmaking encompasses papermaking, book arts, and silk screening. The two also mention that the professor is pushing non-toxic methods of printmaking, which differ from the traditional methods. Next to the Watercolor/Printmaking table Melissa Coppola, who is a senior history major, sits at a pottery wheel carefully shaping what seems to be a pot. She explains that she took Ceramics as an elective and became hooked. Eric Diaz, senior Studio Art major, stands in front of a table top loom weaving a colorful length of cloth, as he contemplates what it will become. Next is the History of Architecture table, but just as I approach it is announced that Dinner will begin in Down's Hall, and I only have moments to snap a few pictures of the Architecture project boards before the CAS lobby quickly clears out.
Guests gather into Down's Hall, picking up their table assignments and Affiliate Artists Concert tickets from Theatre students dressed in ornate costumes from the musical Once Upon A Mattress, which was in Wilkin's Theatre earlier this semester. As the guests settle into their places Dr. Carole Shaffer-Koros, Dean of SVPA welcomes everyone and reveals that the tables have been designed by students. The tables are decorated with a beautiful array of items that represent the Arts, such as colorful metallic falls adorned with pictures of past Theatre productions, and statuettes of treble clefs and miniature musical instruments. All of the tables are one-of-a-kind and represent the unique spirits of the students that created them. President of Kean University, Dr. Dawood Farahi then delivered his welcome in which he reminds all in attendance that "A mind is a terrible thing to waste but a talent wasted is worse." He also encouraged guests to remember that "the measure of a person is not what they leave behind it is what they do to flourish the talent of those who could not do without them." In his final remarks, President Farahi exclaims with enthusiasm "It is my job with your help to give students a stake at American Prosperity and a shot at the American Dream."
Throughout Dinner, representatives from different programs explained their most recent advances and what can be expected in the upcoming year. The Department of Theatre was very proud to announce the Inaugural Season of Premiere Stages, a groundbreaking new theatre program dedicated to emerging artists, with programs such as Premiere Artists which brings in high profile professionals to teach masters classes. A representative of the Design Department introduced us to the Design Center's Talk Chart which is used by those who cannot talk in order to communicate in the hospital. Originally the Design Center donated the charts to 100 hospitals in New Jersey, which elicited a tremendous response. Currently 2,000 hospitals throughout the country utilized the Talk Chart. Entertainment included a piano selection by Marlenes Luvins and a performance by Leading Ladies, students Kristen Bussierre and Jennifer Vaughn, and faculty Susan Speidel and Holly Logue. After Dinner, Student Ambassadors led the way to Wilkin's Theatre for Dessert and The Affiliate Artist Springtime Showcase featuring 12 world-renowned musicians who have become faculty members at Kean.
View the Showcase pictures
