Art convocation acknowledges colleges accomplishments

by Brynn Burton

All disciplines of Ohio University's art world will come together Friday morning for the fourth annual College of Fine Arts Convocation.

The convocation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.

Keynote speaker Lisa Bruce, who has produced more than seven feature films, will discuss her life in the arts in her speech, "Focus the Fire." Bruce is a principal of Orinda Films, an independent feature film production company in New York. She is also a founding partner of the Occidental Arts and Ecology Center, a non-profit educational center in northern California founded by artists, educators, biologists and activists, said Karen Wyman, director of marketing and communications for the college.

Raymond Tymas-Jones, dean of the College of Fine Arts, said the convocation serves to inspire and celebrate a vision of the arts.

"It is a celebration of the arts community," Tymas-Jones said. "It is important for us as artists to show our work, it is a vital means of recognizing in a very physical way the breadth of the university."

Mary Manusos, a professor in the School of Art, and Rebecca Rischin, a professor in the School of Music, will be recognized as outstanding faculty members.

Alumni from the six schools in the college also will be recognized as outstanding - Silvio Gaggi, doctorate, 1972, School of Interdisciplinary Art; Kevin Everson, master's, 1990, School of Art; Marcia Herman, master's, 1962, School of Music; Rocco Hindman, bachelor's, 1994, School of Film; Nancy Allison, bachelor's, 1976, School of Dance; and Chuck Cooper, bachelor's, 1976, School of Theater.

The convocation will feature student performances, including a speech from Isabel Graziani, doctoral candidate in the School of Interdisciplinary Arts, on "Ambiguity in Transition."

Graziani, a sculptor focusing on history and visual arts, will discuss her personal journey and the art world growing closer together.

"My goal is aimed to connect all in the art world," she said. "The world barriers are coming down and this interconnection is inviting us to reach out, especially in art."

Two student film excerpts also will be shown - Mark Shogren's "Instant Muscles" and David Roberts's "Absolute Truth."

The school encourages public attendance at the convocation, said Sharon Ball, administrative coordinator in the dean's office.

"It is our big gala for fine arts," she said. "It is the celebration of the arts and students' work."