Academic News

Michael Cohen-Elyanow (Adjunct Faculty, Liberal Arts) attended the world premiere production of his new play "The Children" at The Theatre @ Boston Court in Pasadena, California. The play ran form May 12 to June 10, 2012.

The city of Luverne, Minnesota has set up a series of arts-related events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Minnesota author Frederick Manfred (father-in-law of Associate Professor Thomas Pope). Throughout 2012, Luverne will honor literature and the visual arts. Programs are designed for adults, children, and teens. Many artists, speakers, and old friends of Manfred are scheduled to speak or present their work.

Dr. Thomas O. Haakenson (Liberal Arts Chair) was invited to speak at the Weisman Art Museum for WAM Chatter in March 2012, offered in conjunction with the exhibition, "Käthe Kollwitz: Making Human."
 

Five student finalists of twenty-four participants were chosen to be displayed at Room & Board’s Edina showroom. Product entries were designed to be environmentally friendly storage solutions for accessories. After a public vote, Room & Board's design experts consulted the vote result in their choice of the overall winner.

Winner

"Clutch" by Steve Listwon

Joseph Rizzo '03 was commissioned and featured in the March 2012 issue of Twin Cities METRO Magazine. His illustration "Heavy" was TC Metro's March commission.

Additional Information

• The Commission: Joseph Rizzo (metromag.com)
• Joseph Rizzo

Kristen Lowe '88 recently received a Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Grant to fund her documentary "Painting the Place Between." The documentary features four contemporary painters who work from a subject we all have in common, the land. In Fall 2012, Lowe and the four artists will discuss the making of the documentary and present in-progress footage at MCAD.

Media Arts Adjunct Faculty Matt Ehling (founder of Public Record Media) has been named this year’s recipient of the John R. Finnegan Freedom of Information Award. Ehling is being honored for two decades of engaging Minnesotans in the civic process.

Additional Information

• Ehling Of Public Record Media To Receive FOI Award (cbslocal.com)

As part of Walker Art Center's "Discourse and Discord: A Public Symposium," Media Arts Professor Piotr Szyhalski gave a presentation on Class in Residence (CIR) this past April. CIR is a special topics class where MCAD students engage with all aspects of the Walker Art Center throughout the semester.

Additional Information

• Discourse and Discord (walkerart.org)

Twelve members of the MCAD community (nine alumni, one student, two faculty) have been recognized with Artist Initiative Grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Click below for award details.

Additional Information

• Artists Initiative Grants

Amit Tishler MFA '12 won an Award of Excellence in the Student Film category at the 2012 Canada International Film Festival for her film "Haxx."

Illustrations by Teagan White '09 were featured in the October 2011 issue of Wired Magazine. White has also been commissioned to create two more illustrations for an upcoming issue of Wired.

Additional Information

• "The Wired Atlas of the Human Ecosystem (wired.com).

Vadim Gershman MFA '12 and Ryan Powell released their video for the track "Sugar," by New York electronic music producer Phaseone in May 2012. Sugar tells a story of two ex lovers failing to reconnect via text message as one is moving away for good.