FAYETTE, Iowa (June 21, 2013) - Upper Iowa University wants to add an extra dimension to its art program by establishing a free-standing studio in which students can create 3-D works of art. The sculpture and ceramics studio would be located immediately east of Edgar Fine Arts Hall on campus.
"Upper Iowa University wants to build on its already strong foundation in the arts and develop an adequate and safe space for constructing 3-dimensional art," said Elissa Wenthe, UIU assistant professor of art who came to the university in 2008 to teach ceramics and sculpture courses. "When UIU renovated Edgar Fine Arts in 2007, it wasn't designed for the scope of creating 3-dimensional artwork. When working in sculpture and ceramics, students saw, carve, weld, mix and formulate clay and glazes and do multiple different firing techniques with ceramic kilns. Such construction materials and methods require adequate space and ventilation. Our goal is to create a space that will give UIU students as much creative freedom as possible."
The University is launching a special alumni fund-raising initiative, "UIU in 3-D" to raise $500,000 to finance the removal of the existing structure, construction of the studio, and site landscaping. This initiative is similar to other recent single-purpose alumni funding initiatives, such as "Raising the Bar" and "The Clark-Bowen Endowed Scholarship Fund." The "Raising the Bar" initiative was established to raise $250,000 to pay for improvements in strength and conditioning facilities for Peacock athletes. More than $113,000 has been raised to date. The "Clark-Bowen Endowed Scholarship Fund," honors UIU Vice President Charles Clark and Registrar Roger Bowen who were instrumental in launching the UIU independent study program 40 years ago. To date, more than $32,000 has been raised.
"This drive is a great opportunity for alumni, who benefitted from a UIU fine arts education, and art lovers everywhere to show their support for the future of the University's art program," Wenthe said.
More information about the program is available online at www.uiu.edu/3d. Additionally, several member of this year's Team Peacock are raising funds for this initiative. Team Peacock's fund-raising web page can be found at http://www.uiu.edu/teampeacock/.
About Upper Iowa University Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to some 6,200 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study. For more information, visit www.uiu.edu.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Associate Vice President for Communication and Marketing
Phone 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu
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