IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 17, 2008
CONTACT: Gordon Ovenshine:
724.738.4854

                                                                                                                                                    gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu

SRU art department colors campus with group drawing project

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Talk about a public art project that rocks. Slippery Rock University students, faculty, community residents and anyone else who wants to participate will come together Oct. 24 to hand-draw three wall murals in Art Building 1.

            The Collaborative Drawing Project, offered by the SRU art department, will allow participants to create a large-scale drawing on large rolls of paper. The ground rules are that participants must use dry or water-based mediums, no solvents.

            “This is an opportunity for Slippery Rock University art students to work with one another, learn and explore, not only their own art processes, but the processes of other participating artists,” said Heather Hertel, SRU art instructor. “It is a day of hard work in the studio that will yield positive outcomes in terms of life-long learning and visual stimulation.”

            Students are anticipating the project as a learning opportunity.

            “One of the great things about a project of this type is it gives artists an opportunity to work together and problem-solve while bringing their own unique skills into the mix,” said Dawn Wolfe, an SRU art major from La Jose. “Personally, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to produce an art work that has no prescription while working with almost complete strangers to achieve a common goal.”

            “Ideally, it will give me an insight into how others work and also how they respond in an immediate sense to my work,” said Joshua Emery, a fine arts major from Mercer. “Art is, in my opinion, completely about creating dialogue so if no one speaks to me, I know I’m doing something wrong.”

            Art faculty from several western Pennsylvania universities as well as artists from the Northwestern Pennsylvania Artist’s Association have been invited to participate. 

            Hertel said the project would also promote cooperation, problem-solving and creativity.

            Artists will work on the murals from 10 a.m. to noon, break for lunch and continue creating from 1-5 p.m.  in the Drawing Studio, Design Studio and hallway of Art Building 1. The finished pieces will be displayed in the building.

            Participants should bring their own drawing tools, chalk, pencils, crayons and markers and should confirm participation by Monday. Call Hertel at 724.738.4211.

Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced educational and learning opportunities that make a positive difference in their lives.