Math Emporium Art Project: “Abacus” by Paula Smith’s Advanced Ceramics Students Now Installed

Posted on by

The Math Emporium Art Project is a collaborative project with CPCC Visual Arts Department and the Math Emporium to fill the space with math-theme works of art created by CPCC students. On January 16, 2015, the first work–Abacus–was installed.

"Abacus"

CPCC Instructor Paula Smith with "Abacus"

An Abacus, or counting frame has been in use centuries before the formal written numeral system, and is still in use in many cultures today. Though ancient in origin, the abacus is still utilized in the early years of institutional schools as an aid in teaching arithmetic. Visually impaired learners find using the abacus helpful because of its physical nature. The earliest abacus that used beads on rods dates from the 11th century in China and was called a suan pan, which means “calculating plate”. It is felt by many that using the abacus strengthens the student’s sense of number placement value and helps to further a better overall understanding of numbers.  In 1979, the Chinese Abacus Association was founded. Forbes.com ranks the abacus as the second most important tool of all time.

"Abacus-detail"

"Abacus-detail" by Paula Smith and Advanced Ceramic Students, Math Emporium, CPCC

The CPCC Visual Art Department was invited by the Math Emporium to submit ideas based on mathematical themes. Paula Smith volunteered her Advanced Ceramics class and asked them to come up with various design concepts. Many ideas were thrown around until it was decided that a large, interactive abacus would be the best option.  All of Smith’s Advanced Ceramics students were assigned to make ten- four inch hollow ceramic balls, which could be individualized by using stamps, textures, and/or cut-outs.  Students then used colored under glazes and/or glazes to finish the surface treatments. Smith and class made 104 balls, giving them some room for final design options. With assistance from Ashley Knight, CPCC Sculpture Instructor, a metal framework was formed to complete the design.

“Abacus” is a large-scale, interactive sculpture that invites the viewer to touch by moving the balls and desires to become a public art focal point for the Math Emporium and their students.

Paula Smith, CPCC Ceramics Instructor; Ashley Knight, CPCC Sculpture Instructor

Ceramics II, III, IV, and Studio students: Rasheda Barner, Dee Bujalski, Minjeong Choi, Renee Holiday, Girvard Justice, Janet Lasher, Mary Jane McKnight, Jodi McNeely, Suzanne Mellichamp, Justine Read, Phil Sciabarrasi, Leslie Scott, Fred Vohwinkel

More installations coming soon! Drawings and photography!

The Math Emporium Art Project is now accepting proposals for Spring 2015. Please contact Project Manager, Carolyn Jacobs at carolyn.jacobs@cpcc.edu for more information.

CPCC Painting Students Visit McColl Center Artist Beverly McIver

Posted on by

Isaac Payne’s Painting II students had the opportunity to spend some time with McColl Center resident artist Beverly McIver recently. Ms. McIver welcomed the students into her McColl Center studio and discussed her work in detail during the visit.

Painting II students during a private studio visit with Beverley McIver, during her Residency at the McColl Center. Photo by Haris Vehabovic

 

Studio Visit : Painting I with Isaac Payne

Posted on by

Students working hard in Isaac Payne's Spring 2014 Painting I class.

Korky Yang completes her self-portrait as Gustave Courbet in Isaac Payne's Spring 2014 Painting I class.

Painting I investigates a number of introductory painting methods, materials and concepts. Drawing I (Art 131) and Design I (Art 121) are strongly recommended before registering for Painting I–students will get the most out of the class if they have this solid foundation to build on. If you have questions about the the Painting program at CPCC, please contact painting instructor Isaac Payne at Isaac.Payne@cpcc.edu

CPCC Ceramics Instructor Paula Smith at Lark and Key Gallery’s “Home Grown-Home Thrown”

Posted on by

Paula Smith, "White Fig Leaf Teapot with bird"

Paula Smith, CPCC full time ceramics instructor will be participating at a Lark and Key gallery function called “Home Grown-Home Thrown”, the theme is “dessert”, (Paula’s favorite subject). The gallery will have specialty local food vendors with samples of their desserts and coffees while myself, Jen Mecca, and Julie Wiggins will be demonstrating various ceramics building methods, (both hand building and throwing on the wheel).

All are invited:

Where: Lark and Key Gallery

128 East Park Ave. Charlotte, NC 28203 704-334-4616

www.larkandkey.com

When:  Thursday, November 13, 2014 6:30-9:30pm

Paula Smith at Lark and Key Gallery

Portfolio Day with Winthrop University, November 7, 2014 at 10AM

Posted on by

Great News!

The chair of Winthrop University will visit on Friday, November 7 at 10AM to review student portfolios.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • in-state tuition may be possible for CPCC students
  • scholarship opportunities are available
  • even if you haven’t considered Winthrop University, it’s a good opportunity to get feedback on your portfolio AND get more info about a good, local school.

Here’s what you need to do:

  • organize your portfolio:
    10-20 works, neatly presented; can be actual works or digital
    Choose work that show how you’ve met the objectives of the courses you’ve taken
    Choose your best work. Avoid incomplete projects, if possible.
    Be able to self-assess. Know your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Ask your instructor for help selecting, if needed.
  • sign up for a slot by contacting Carolyn.Jacobs@cpcc.edu or stopping by Overcash 152.
  • if you can be here on Nov. 7, but want your portfolio to be considered, make arrangements to leave it with Carolyn Jacobs.

If you’d like a digital copy of Carolyn’s Portfolio Workshop lecture, email Carolyn.Jacobs@cpcc.edu to request it.

PORTFOLIO WORKSHOP

Posted on by

Are you getting ready to transfer, and need some advice
on how to prepare your portfolio?

ON OCTOBER 17: FIND OUT

  • what to include
  • how to present
  • how many images
  • how to photograph your work
  • how to write an artist statement

OVERCASH 155 10-11:00AM

ON OCTOBER 24: SIGN UP & WE’LL DO A PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF YOUR PORTFOLIO—9AM TILL NOON
Sign up sheet for Preliminary Review on Overcash 152 (Carolyn Jacobs’ office door) or contact Carolyn.Jacobs@cpcc.edu to sign up).  


Study Art History and Painting in Italy with CPCC!

Posted on by


CPCC Art Department is headed to Rome! Florence! Sienna! Pisa!

Travel Dates:  May 20- June  2015

Application Deadline: January 23, 2015
(but we’d love to have you on board by the end of October!!)

Do you want to explore the art, food, landscape and culture of Italy? This program takes students to Florence and Rome, with other cities visited on day trips.  Participants are able to see some of the most renowned works of art in their original settings, explore the architecture and time period of their creation and explore their own creativity through drawing and painting.

Costs:   Projected Program Fees: $3800

What is included:

Roundtrip Airfare

  • Accommodations
  • Some meals
  • In-country transportation
  • Museum entrance fees
  • Site-seeing and Cultural Activities

What is not included:

  • Passport Fees – visit the State Department website for information
  • CPCC registration (cost of painting materials included)
  • Some meals
  • Personal Incidentals and gifts

 Course:   Students will receive 3- 6 credits

Art 114 and/or Art 115: This program will give the student the opportunity to see works of art in person as we discuss them.  There are many works of art that should be viewed in their original setting, such as a church or a private home, which cannot be seen in a book.  This adds to the understanding of the works of art as well as the art period during which they were created. There will be pre-departure meetings.

Art 240, 241, 288: The studio portion of this study abroad program will immerse students in the rich tradition of drawing and painting first hand, with instructor demos on-site, museum visits, impromptu sketching, and plein air painting.  Most sketching sessions will be held in the morning, but students are encouraged to carry a sketchbook at all times.

Students must sign up for the appropriate course(s) when summer courses become available for registration in April 2015. 

Instructors:
Mary Kilburn  (Art History) mary.kilburn@cpcc.edu/Overcash 156
Carolyn Jacobs (Painting) carolyn.jacobs@cpcc.edu/Overcash 152

For more information: Contact the Instructor or the Global Learning Office at
Nadine Russell (nadine.russell@cpcc.edu ), 704-330-6167, or visit us in Overcash 303 Central Campus.

John Singer Sargent watercolor of gardens at Villa Borghese

Visual Arts Club Meets on First Fridays

Posted on by

Join the Visual Arts Club at 12:30pm on the first Friday of each month for regular club meetings, and look for special events, workshops and service opportunities to be posted here and in the ARTWing of the Overcash Building and the Center for ARTS Technology Building.

Contact club advisors Carolyn.Jacobs@cpcc.edu and Isaac.Payne@cpcc.edu for more information.