Everything Nac

The works of the late SFA art professor Gary Frields will be featured in a show and sale that runs Aug. 4 through 27 in Reavley Gallery in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Gary Q. Frields Art Scholarship awarded annually to an SFA student.

A reception is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 12, hosted by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts. Half of the sale proceeds will benefit the Gary Q. Frields Art Scholarship the FVA awards annually to an SFA student.

It’s been three years since Frields passed away, and his wife, Tamara Robertson, decided it was time to allow the public an opportunity to enjoy his artwork once again.

“I want Gary’s artful spirit to continue enriching other people’s lives as he did while on this earth,” she said, “making them laugh, making them stop and contemplate the incredible beauty of the world and what it means to be a sentient being.”

“I had the privilege of knowing Gary for nine years in total before he passed away, and the even greater privilege of being his wife for his last three years,” Robertson wrote in an email interview. “I have held his artworks close to me for these three years since he passed, unready to part ways with important things of his.

“It has made me sad to know so much of his work sits, unappreciated, as I have only so much room for display,” she said. “It is time to remedy this situation and release the beauty of Gary’s persona back out where it belongs – in public.”

Known among his peers as a great advocate for SFA’s art students, Frields taught courses in design, drawing and sculpture and served as graduate program coordinator for the School of Art before his retirement in 2012. He was a recipient of the SFA Fine Arts Teaching Excellence Award and was appointed to the board of directors for the Texas Association of Schools of Art. Frields’ involvement in national juried exhibitions helped in establishing the SFA Texas National, originating the concept, name and designing the logo. The event brings to Nacogdoches some of the most celebrated contemporary artists as jurors. He originated the Art Prom and was a founding member of The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, creating the logo and contributing to concept planning.

Frields’ best friend, Michael Donahue, described him as “an art evangelist,” Robertson said. “Gary was filled with gratitude to be able to live an artful life, create art and share his passion for art, UFOs, Elvis and Mr. Peanut with his friends and students,” she said.

Frields’ philosophy regarding art was “open-ended,” she explained. He did not believe there was any one “right” way to begin an artwork, or any one “right” style of art, or even that an artist was confined to creating work in one style alone.

“To me, he was a Picasso,” she said. “He began most of his art with no attempt to make any particular thing, but would proceed relentlessly, relying on intuitive reactions to his chosen material. While exploring various (and often new) materials, he would respond as unplanned things happened in his process of discovery. The forms, images, and narratives revealed would seem to invent themselves almost independently of Gary in an open-ended process that could merge any style (classical, minimal, expressive, nonobjective, naïve, abstract, etc.) with aspects connected to his life. Discoveries made during his working process built trust in creating through this working method.”

Each of Frields’ artworks has a different message, Robertson said. “Sometimes it is silly, sometimes serious, sometimes he was simply expressing his passion for life. There is certainly something in his work for everyone to connect with, regardless of their level of art education.”

Frields was “sincerely touched and proud” when the FVA announced it would honor him with a scholarship in his name, Robertson said.

“He was thrilled he would still be able to continue to encourage students of art even after he was no longer a teacher in the classroom,” she said. “Gary was always a champion of his students and took every opportunity to give back to the arts. He was an ardent believer that art would allow and encourage students to become more informed and transformed into authentically original, creative, open-minded, charitable individuals.”

“Scholarships advance a student’s self-belief and cognizance that their rigorous effort to acquire knowledge and skill is rewarding and respected,” Frields wrote. “I hope this scholarship allows someone to follow their passion and live their dream as I have been so fortunate to have done.”

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. Reavley Gallery is on the second floor. At the close of the show, the remaining artwork will be moved to the Culinary Café on the SFA campus.

For more information about the show and sale, call (936) 468-6557.

View Frields’ artwork at http://GaryQFrields.wix.com/garyqfrields.

Big Head Todd and the Monsters lead the Big Head Blues Club, along with second-generation blues stars Mud Morganfield, Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks, in a tribute to one of the most influential songwriters of early rock and roll in presenting "The Songs of Willie Dixon" in a College of Fine Arts' University Series event at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

This fascinating mix of performance art features a famous British actor performing the works of a Nobel Prize-winning playwright and poet, a Celtic Christmas celebration and a Dutch vocal ensemble performing a repertoire that covers more than five centuries.

“We round out the series by paying tribute to one of the pillars of modern blues and showcasing the music of America’s top female brass quintet,” said John W. Goodall, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the series.

“Designed to bring quality fine arts experiences to East Texas, the series consists of five highly acclaimed professional touring groups,” Goodall said. “This year’s series offers a wide range of artistic talent, from dance to music to theater.

“From a Celtic Christmas performance to a tribute to blues great Willie Dixon, it’s going to be another great season, and one our loyal University Series patrons, and newcomers alike, will not want to miss,” he said.

The season opens Thursday, Sept. 15, with extraordinary British actor Julian Sands presenting “A Celebration of Harold Pinter,” directed by John Malkovich. Sands was approached in 2005 by the Nobel Prize-winning playwright and poet to prepare a set of Pinter’s poems for a special presentation in London. This extraordinary collaboration evolved into this wonderfully humorous and fascinating solo show nominated for a 2013 Drama Desk Award. This performance is sponsored in part by Commercial Bank of Texas.

If you’re a fan of Muddy Waters and Bo Diddley, or even Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones, then you’ve heard the songs of Willie Dixon. On Thursday, Oct. 13, Big Head Blues Club comes to Turner Auditorium to celebrate the legendary songwriter. Big Head Todd and the Monsters join forces with three second-generation blues stars, Mud Morganfield, Billy Branch and Ronnie Baker Brooks, to pay tribute to one of the most influential songwriters of early rock and roll in presenting “The Songs of Willie Dixon.” This performance is sponsored in part by Lehmann Eye Center.

Acclaimed Irish ensemble Danú celebrates Christmas at SFA with “Féile Na Nollag” (A Christmas Gathering) on Friday, Dec. 16. Celtic music lovers around the globe have been thrilled by their virtuoso players on fiddle, flutes, button accordion, percussion and the gorgeous voice of Nell Ní Chróinín, along with top-notch guest dancers. This performance is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Medical Center.

A radiant, charismatic quintet comprised of America’s top female brass players, Seraph Brass will perform on Tuesday, Jan. 24. The quintet is committed to challenging audiences with engaging and exciting programming, presenting a diverse body of repertoire that includes original transcriptions, newly commissioned works and well-known classics. This performance is sponsored in part by Cataract, Glaucoma & Retina Consultants of East Texas/Benchmark Optical.

The series concludes with a performance of the Olga Vocal Ensemble on Thursday, Feb. 2. Hailing from the land of tulips, wooden shoes and windmills, the Dutch vocal ensemble Olga creates pure musical joy from five distinct but harmonious voices. With their red kettle mascot, these men are ready to conquer every heart with their powerful and charming presentation that combines enthusiasm, humor and drama with genuine vocal clarity that enchants both young and old. This performance is sponsored in part by BancorpSouth.

Season tickets for the complete 2016-2017 University Series go on sale Aug. 1 and are $100 for adults, $80 for seniors and $40 for students. Single event ticket prices are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3.

“These are fantastic prices for quality entertainment,” said Diane Peterson, Fine Arts Box Office manager. “Season tickets provide a 25-percent savings over single tickets, and patrons can have their same seat throughout the season.

“Plus, we offer season-ticket options,” she said. “The classic package includes one ticket to each of the five performances, and the TixMix package allows patrons to create their own season.”

Single-event ticket purchases for the University Series or any of the other performances presented through the College of Fine Arts can be made beginning Monday, Aug. 15.

For more information on the 2016-2017 University Series, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium, which is also located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.

For a complete schedule of all College of Fine Arts events in art, music and theatre, visit finearts.sfasu.edu.

SFA's Friday Night Film Series will feature the documentary "Baraka" in a free screening at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, in The Cole Art Center.

Originally shot in 25 countries on six continents, “Baraka” brought together a series of stunningly photographed scenes to capture what director Ron Fricke called “a guided mediation on humanity.” It was a shoot of unprecedented technical, logistical and bureaucratic scope that would take 30 months to complete, including 14 months on location, with a custom-built computerized 65mm camera, according to information at barakasamsara.com.

“The goal of the film,” said producer Mark Magidson, “was to reach past language, nationality, religion and politics and speak to the inner viewer.”

“Baraka” runs one hour, 36 minutes. The suggested rating is PG-13 for some disturbing images, cultural nudity and brief smoking, according to information at imdb.com.

This screening is part of the School of Art’s monthly Friday Film Series and is sponsored in part by the Nacogdoches Film Festival, William Arscott, Nacogdoches Junior Forum, Karon Gillespie, Mike Mollot, Main Street Nacogdoches, David Kulhavy, John and Kristen Heath, Brad Maule, Galleria Z, Jill Carrington, Jean Stephens and Jim and Mary Neal.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

Cutline: SFA’s Friday Night Film Series will feature the documentary “Baraka” in a free screening at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5, in The Cole Art Center.

Laura Miller, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service commercial horticulture agent for Tarrant County, will be the guest speaker for the SFA Gardens monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series, slated for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 11, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Miller is the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service commercial horticulture agent for Tarrant County. She provides informal educational programs and problem-solving services to anyone wanting to make money in horticulture. She assists all gardeners, from green industry professionals to fruit, vegetable and ornamental plant growers. Prior to taking on her present position in 2008, she was a commercial horticulture extension agent for seven years at the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

A sixth-generation Texan, Miller is a graduate of Eagle Pass High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in horticulture and a Master of Education in agricultural education from Texas A&M University. She is a Texas Certified Nursery Professional and serves on the boards of Region V of the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association, the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council, the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, and the International Plant Propagators’ Society – Southern Region of North America.

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month at SFA’s Pineywoods Native Plant Center. A rare plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School, 2428 Raguet St., with continual shuttle service to the Brundrett Conservation Education Building.

For more information, call (936) 468-1832 or email grantdamon@sfasu.edu.

Six faculty members were appointed to new leadership positions at Stephen F. Austin State University by the Board of Regents Tuesday.

Scott Shattuck, associate professor and director of the School of Theatre, was appointed associate dean of the College of Fine Arts. Shattuck came to SFA in 2007 from New York City, where he led the theatre and media program at Marymount College of Fordham University. He is co-author of “The Director’s Vision,” second edition and has performed onstage in various roles throughout his career. Shattuck received his Bachelor of Arts from Colorado State University and his Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas at Austin.

Also within the College of Fine Arts, Gary Wurtz, professor of trumpet, was named the director of the School of Music. Wurtz began his SFA career in 1992 and has since served the university by directing the Jazz Band, the Trumpet Ensemble and SFA Summer Band Camps; working as the assistant director for undergraduate studies of the School of Music; and directing and performing in the Pineywoods Brass Quintet. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from West Texas A&M University and a Master of Music Education and doctoral degree from the University of North Texas.

In the Nelson Rusche College of Business, Professor Marsha Bayless was appointed chair of the Department of Business Communication and Legal Studies. Bayless’ teaching areas include business communication, records management and managerial communication. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Emporia State University and her doctorate from Oklahoma State University.

Additionally, Mikhail Kouliavtsev, professor and director of the Master of Business Administration program at SFA, was named chair of the Department of Economics and Finance. His research has been published in journals such as Economic Inquiry, Review of Industrial Organization and Review of International Economics. Kouliavtsev received his Bachelor of Arts from Lyon College and his Master of Arts and doctoral degree from Temple University.

A professor in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, Lesa Beverly was promoted to chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. Beverly joined the SFA faculty in 2004 and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and Master of Science and doctoral degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Her research interests range from standardized testing to mathematics education and teacher preparation, and her work has been published in various journals and publications.

Marc Guidry, professor of English and associate dean, will serve as interim dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts while Dean Brian Murphy is on a leave of absence until Sept. 19. Guidry holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loyola University New Orleans and a Master of Arts and doctorate in English from Louisiana State University.

SFA’s Board of Regents also approved the following faculty appointments within the Nelson Rusche College of Business: Kacie Czapla, senior lecturer of accounting; Ashley Hall, assistant professor of business communication and legal studies; Calee Holcombe, assistant professor of accounting; Vijetha Koppa, assistant professor of economics and finance; Wayne Tervo, associate professor of accounting; and Jeffrey Whetzel, lecturer of management, marketing and international business.

Approved faculty appointments within the James I. Perkins College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science include Derek Cegelka, assistant professor, and Mary Hawkins, associate professor.

Within the College of Fine Arts’ School of Theatre, Mark Hawkins was approved as senior lecturer, and Barrett Billew was appointed assistant professor.

The board approved the faculty appointment of Kathryn Kidd as assistant professor of forestry within the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

Faculty appointments within the College of Liberal and Applied Arts include Jose Carbajal, assistant professor of social work; John Pruit, assistant professor of anthropology, geography and sociology; and Shanta Scott, clinical instructor of social work.

Candice Cloud, librarian I, and Jonathan Helmke, associate director of library information services, were appointed to faculty positions within the Steen Library.

The board also approved staff appointments Tuesday within the Department of Athletics: Brandon Bernard, athletic marketing coordinator; Derrick Jones and Wade Mason, assistant men’s basketball coaches; and Keith Christopher and Kayla Scott, athletics team operations coordinators.

Additional staff appointments include Jane Ann Bridges, risk and compliance auditor in Audit Services; Carol Gilliland, academic adviser in the Nelson Rusche College of Business: Amie Simmons, coordinator of fitness and wellness programs, Campus Recreation; Kendall Dotson, admissions counselor, Enrollment Management; Emilee Soto, assistant general counsel; Stacy Little, programmer/analyst I, Information Technology Services; Tetyana Kucher, programs coordinator in the Office of International Programs; Carolyn White, program director of the Academic Assistance and Resource Center; William Avery, area coordinator in the Department of Residence Life; Canaan Daniels, student engagement coordinator, and Emily Jefferson, assistant director of orientation programs, Student Affairs Programs; and Kimberly Whitley-Gaynor, communications specialist in University Marketing Communications.

Regents also approved the following changes of status:

Chelsea Heidbrink, from academic adviser in business to coordinator of student success, Academic Affairs;

Rachel Jumper, from assistant director of institutional assessment to assistant professor of human sciences; and Kelly Morgan, from administrative assistant to academic adviser, James I. Perkins College of Education;

Kara Goodson, from admissions counselor to academic adviser, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture;

Lerin Blackmon, from admissions counselor to admissions coordinator, International Studies;

Rebecca Galatas, from administrative assistant to contracting specialist, Procurement and Property Services;

Zachary Wisniewski, from assistant supervisor to supervisor of library access services; Hayley Gillen, from program associate in education to library acquisitions/loans supervisor, Steen Library;

Sylvester Harris, from student engagement coordinator for activities to student engagement coordinator for Greek Life, Student Affairs Programs;

Jamie Bouldin, from forestry academic adviser to director of the Center for Career and Professional Development; Brandi Derouen, from career services coordinator to assistant director of the Center for Career and Professional Development; and Cyndra Krogen-Morton, from visiting lecturer of kinesiology and health science to compliance specialist (Title IX), Student Affairs Support Services;

Gavin McCarty, manager of the SFA post office with additional responsibilities as interim director of printing services; and Nick Stallworth, from manager of guest services to associate director of the Baker Pattillo Student Center, Student Services; and

Marcus Madden, from sergeant to lieutenant, University Police Department.

The board approved retirements of the following faculty and staff members with 145 years of combined service to the university: Diana Boubel, director of procurement and property services; Carrie Brown, director of research and sponsored programs; Ann Ellis, librarian IV; Jill Hines, Charter School teacher; Melissa McMillian-Cunningham, senior lecturer of theatre; Evelyn Pierce, supervisor of library access services; and Becky Price-Mayo, lecturer of social work.

Members of the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents approved a Master of Arts in professional counseling program during its quarterly meeting Tuesday.

Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education, explained that this approval will meet new accreditation standards and consolidate SFA’s existing counseling programs into a required 60-hour licensure program. Three concentrations will be offered: Clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling. The program will be available this fall pending approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

“As accreditation progresses, we seek to evolve our programs to reflect the expectations of the professional organization, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs,” Abbott said. “Maintaining our program accreditation supports graduate students in completing a rigorous, current program that reflects the standards and expectations of professionals in the field of counseling.”

Additionally, regents heard an update on SFA’s Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building by Kirksey Architects, the Houston-based firm designing the facility. With the design and development phase now complete, the university is moving forward with a groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Nov. 6 and completion in June 2018. The four-story building will feature a 50-foot dome for a new planetarium, glass atrium, labs, third-floor terrace and more.

Regents approved a $6 million capital plan budget for scheduled maintenance and renovation projects, including enhancements to the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom and fire safety improvements to classrooms and buildings across campus. Classrooms also will receive technology upgrades in the form of projection units, TVs and additional equipment to enhance instruction and activities.

“There are 117 classrooms on campus, and our goal is to significantly upgrade 40 percent of these rooms,” said Dr. Steve Bullard, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are transitioning these classrooms into active-learning spaces to further engage students in the learning experience, which is an overarching goal of our strategic plan.”

In other business, the board received a report from the SFA auditor and approved the annual audit plan. Board members also heard updates on the university’s marketing campaign and new SFA website, which is scheduled to launch in September.

During its three-day meeting, the board approved the following:

• a list of firms to provide legal consulting services on an as-needed basis

• grant awards totaling $611,037

• building and grounds, financial affairs, and academic and student affairs policy revisions

• revisions to the intercollegiate athletic policies and procedures manual

• fiscal year 2016-17 institutional operating budget of more than $250 million

• submission of the 2018-19 legislative appropriation request

• information technology services capital fund

• network infrastructure upgrades and replacements to wired and wireless networks

• the refinancing of bonds if a 3-percent savings would result and

• the university’s holiday schedule.

Additionally, the board approved the minutes of the April and June meetings and heard reports from SFA President Dr. Baker Pattillo, the Faculty Senate and the Student Government Association.