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Volume 2 • Issue No. 1 • Summer 2014

School of Art and Design Appoints Reed as New Director

With her 21 years of experience at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), Sandra Reed is no stranger to picturesque street-view classrooms designed for the enhancement of the visual arts. That’s part of what made her the

best fit to lead as the director for the School of Art and Design.

Reed, who was named director as of July 1, said she is honored to join the university right when its commitment to the visual art and design is transforming historic downtown Huntington.

“This is a special place at a special time,” Reed said. “The opportunity to lead the faculty and students of the School of Art and Design as they fulfill the potential of the Visual Arts Center as a destination for vibrant study, creative production, dialogue, and exhibition was a major factor in my decision to accept the position as Director of the School of Art and Design.”

A painter by trade, Reed’s ventures have allowed her to see art beyond the Peach State. Reed has held leadership roles in New York City — she founded a workplace residency there that has provided 52 students intensive professional practice for the past 10 years — and a position as the academic director for two full academic terms at SCAD in Lacoste, France.

Reed said her two decades of experience and administration at SCAD have prepared her for the position.

“I’ve hit the ground running,” Reed said.

Reed’s educational background includes two degrees earned with honors: a bachelor’s from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, and a master’s in painting from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She has had work featured in the National Museum of Women in the Arts in D.C., the Ogden Museum of Art in New Orleans, Blue Gallery in Lacoste, France, and Gallery in Cork in London.

Sandra Reed

Going Up: Visual Arts Center Nears CompletionThe partnership between Marshall University and historic downtown Huntington could not be more clear than seeing the face of Pullman Square reflecting in the glass front of the Visual Art Center.

Vertically fastened steel banners read “Marshall University” and “School of Art and Design” from the east and “College of Arts and Media” and “Visual Arts Center” from the west.

The signs are up, and it’s a sure sign the premier center for the visual arts will soon be filled with students in the university’s art program.

Classes begin Aug. 25, while grand opening events include a ribbon-cutting at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 18, community tours from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19, and an invitation-only strolling celebration on Saturday, Sept. 20.

Former Anderson-Newcomb employees Jerry and Shirley Blake; Yvonne and Virgil Newman; Opal Blake; Donna Rawley; Lula Cremeans; Elsie Singleton; Lottie Woody; and Fern Fitzpatrick stand with an early-1900s printing press originally owned by The Anderson-Newcomb Co. When Anderson-Newcomb was bought out by Stone & Thomas, the press was donated to Marshall University’s printing department, where it has been used for the past few decades. The press has now found its way back home to the Marshall University Visual Arts Center where it will continue to be used by printmaking students.

Former Anderson-Newcomb/Stone & Thomas Employees Tour VAC

Seventeen students and two professors traveled 4,000 miles in May to explore Italy in the fifth annual Marshall in Florence program. The experience, hosted by the College of Arts and Media, offered students full academic immersion.

Natalie Larsen, an associate professor in the School of Art and Design said that Florence is one of the best places for students to have a greater experience with works of art.

“It’s a totally different experience to see something in the real than it is to see something in print,” Larsen said. “We’re able to take students there to see the work that they’re looking at in their history books.”

The three-week trip is offered not only to art

students, but also anyone interested in seeing Italy who attends Marshall.

Jeff Powell, a professor of Philosophy, said he thinks the students gained an eye-opening perspective on other cultures during the visit.

“There were a lot of things about everyday life in Florence, Italy, and Europe in general that were striking for them,” Powell said. “The food and culture is much different from here, and they got a real taste of that.”

Class time each day during the May 11-31 visit required students to engross themselves in the center of Italian Renaissance by visiting many places, including churches, historical sites, museums and observing and participating in life on the streets.

Students Gain Culture, Education in Three-Week Florence Experience

Students can be seen enjoying the Giardino delle Rose (Rose Garden) that overlooks the entire city of Florence. Near the top of the hill is Piazzale Michelangelo in which stands a copy of Michelangelo’s famous “David,” and at the top of the same hill stands the beautiful San Minato al Monte church, which was built in 1018

SAVE the DATEJoin us for grand opening events especially recognizing our downtown neighbors and partners

Ribbon-Cutting CeremonyThursday • Sept. 18 • 3 p.m.

Community ToursFriday • Sept. 19 • 5-8 p.m.

Transformation has begun on the 6 feet by 8 feet fiberglass bison that will soon live downtown.

Brianna Jarvis, a sophomore graphic design major at Marshall who won a public art competition called New Connections, will be painting the life-size artwork under the cover of Marshall University’s Art Warehouse until its big reveal on Sept. 19 at Pullman Square.

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, Paul Davis, executive director of the Tri-State Transit Authority, and College of Arts and Media Dean Don Van Horn judged the public art competition, which is funded by Pullman Square and represents the new connections that the Visual Arts Center will make to the future and community.

Student Begins Design on Life-Sized Bison Artwork