Points of Pride
Northern Illinois University Exhibit • Barcelona Creative Arts Exchange • Student and Alumni Success
Over the years, there have been achievements and opportunities for the students of VIC, that I am very proud to have been a part of. For me, working in education is more than a job. Being able to have a positive impact in the lives of my students, and belonging to a community of artists, is rewarding on a very deep and personal level. The information below celebrates some these some accomplishments.
Northern Illinois University (NIU) - Community College Student Juried Virtual Exhibition 2021
In March of 2021, VIC students participated for the first time, in the NIU Community College Student Juried Virtual Exhibition. This exhibit is open to all Community College students in Illinois. The students of VIC nearly swept the categories they entered. Taking 1st and 3rd place in Digital Art, and 1st, 3rd, and honorable mention in Digital Photography. The awards ceremony was held virtually and I proudly attended to support the students.
To read about the virtual exhibit please click the following link. https://www.niu.edu/art/events/exhibition.shtml
Barcelona Creative Arts Exchange Exchange
In 2019, I had the opportunity to get involved with the Barcelona Creative Arts Exchange, thanks to VIC and ART adjunct and artist, Mark Nelson. The BCAE pairs students and Instructors, from Barcelona and the Chicagoland area. These pairs then work on a collaborative project centered around a theme. The year we participated, the theme and artist was Jaume Plensa. Plensa was the creative artist behind the Crown Fountain at Millennium Park.
Plensa is a prolific artist that creates beautiful, and often ethereal sculptures on a large scale. The theme for the 2019 BCAE was "Expansive Thought".
The students collaborated via email and created pieces that were then exhibited in both Barcelona and in the Triton College Gallery. It was a wonderful experience that the students really enjoyed. I am hoping to participate again in the future.
To view the gallery exhibit, please click the following link.http://diposit.ub.edu/dspace/handle/2445/150263
The images below are excepts from the collaboration.
Barcelona Artists: Marina Roca Garcia / Maria Rodriguez Gonzalez / Clara Perez de Tudela Vila
VIC Artist: Victoria Sulouff
Barcelona Artist: Maria Perez Gabriel
VIC Artist: Joe Joe George
Barcelona Artists: Maite Bel Rippolles / Leena Espanol Sidoine
VIC Artist: Katy Bergholz
Barcelona Artists: Eli Masmitja Fernandez / Roger Pla Hostau / Paula Gavalda Campos
VIC Artist: Bernisa Kamenjasvic
Barcelona Artist: Juan Fernandez Verba
VIC Artist: Tameka Wilson
VIC Artist: Barbara Delane
Barcelona Artists: Jusit Diaz Garcia / Roger Aran Llavero / Mariona Batlles Rey
VIC Artist: Thanasis Aladsidis
Barcelona Artists: Ainhoa Gracia Gil / Anna Lopez Cerdan / Bea Gandioso Sanchez
VIC Artist: Robert Kozak
Student and Alumni Success
It is very rewarding to follow the careers and artistic endeavors of VIC alumni and former students. Observing their body of work at it transforms and matures, is inspiring.
Marcin Cymmer - https://www.cymmerphoto.com/ https://www.smartpixelstudio.com/
Malgorzata Kaplon https://www.kaplonstudio.com/about.html
Agata Martinik https://agatamartinik.com/
Austin Sowell https://www.austinsowell.com/
Doina Calcea https://www.instagram.com/doina.calcea/?hl=en
Marek Roik http://marekart.com/
Kasia Kowalik https://www.kasiakowalikphotography.com/
Ian McSheffrey https://www.instagram.com/ianmcsheffrey/?hl=en