Everything Nac

If you think the renovated and expanded Griffith Fine Arts Building on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus is fantastic, just wait … it keeps getting better.

This fall, the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts will unveil its new permanent art collection, an exhibition that features selected works of art by current and former School of Art faculty and alumni, along with some special guest artists. The collection of artwork is designed to enhance the already spectacular visual experience inside and outside the Griffith Fine Arts Building.

An opening reception is planned for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, in the second-floor lobby of Griffith Fine Arts Building, and will include the release of a booklet with descriptions of the works and creators’ biographies that can be referenced on self-guided tours of the building. The event will also serve to honor the artists, many of whom will be in attendance, to discuss their pieces selected for the showcase.

Before the reopening of the fine arts building last fall, Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts, and a select committee of college employees implemented an idea to use the entire three-floor structure as a “gallery” that would showcase artwork just as interesting and as imaginative as the building’s architecture.

While the vision for the collection is that it will continue to expand, both in size and in terms of the artists represented, the committee agreed that the collection should start as a celebration of SFA-affiliated artists.

Early in fall 2023, an invitation was made to current and former SFA art faculty to solicit works to be considered for purchase. Utilizing project funds, the committee selected pieces from almost every artist who submitted, including artwork from a number of retired, or even deceased, faculty members. Retired art faculty member Gary Parker was contracted by the college to work as the collection preparator and installer, and he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the collection will be ready for its introduction to the greater public in time for the September event.

In addition to the works by SFA artists, two major sculptures were purchased as part of the project. Russ Connell, a Dallas-based sculptor, was contracted to create a new, large-scale exterior piece that now greets visitors who enter the building from Alumni Drive. A sculpture by renowned Caddo Nation artist Raven Halfmoon was purchased and resides prominently in the main lobby.

“I am so proud to be associated with this fantastic project,” Wurtz said. “The size and beauty of the collection transcends anything I was hoping for when we started, and I can’t wait for Sept. 12 to bring the public and the artists together in celebration of these beautiful pieces of art. This collection is a major addition to the Micky Elliott College of Fine Art’s public offerings, and further enhances SFA’s value to the greater community.”

For more information about the art collection, contact the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts dean’s office at (936) 468-2801.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information

Faculty members of Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Music will present the recital “Laurence Sherr: Chamber Music for Flute” at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The performance will feature Dr. Christina Guenther, flute: Debbie Berry, soprano; Dr. James Vilseck, percussion; Dr. Brad Meyer, percussion; Carlos Gaviria, bass; and Dr. Thomas Nixon, piano; with Dr. Tamey Anglley conducting. The composer will also be in attendance.

Among the works to be performed are “Duo Concertante,” “Dhammapada Verses” and “Journeys Within.”

Sherr was Guenther’s dissertation subject for her doctorate at Florida State University.

“I commissioned ‘Duo Concertante’ as part of my dissertation after having performed ‘Dhammapada Verses’ at the FSU New Music Festival,” Guenther said. “The three days following Thursday’s performance at SFA will be spent recording ‘Duo Concertante’ and ‘Journeys Within,’ a culmination of a 20-year friendship with the composer. In addition to working with the faculty performers of this program, Dr. Sherr will give a masterclass for our composition studio as well as lessons for composition students during his residency at SFA that week.”

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit the Fine Arts Box Office website. For additional information, contact the School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of the documentary film “Seadrift” at 7 p.m. Sept. 6 at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

In 1979, a Vietnamese refugee shot and killed a white crab fisherman at the public town docks along the Texas coast in Seadrift. What began as a dispute over fishing territory erupted into violence and ignited a maelstrom of boat burnings, Ku Klux Klan intimidation, and other hostilities against Vietnamese refugees along the Gulf Coast, according to information at seadriftfilm.com.

Set during the early days of Vietnamese arrival in the U.S., “Seadrift” is a feature documentary that examines the circumstances that led up to the shooting and its dramatic aftermath, and reveals the unexpected consequences that continue to reverberate today.

The School of Art’s Friday Film Series is sponsored in part by retired filmmaking Professor William Arscott. The Cole Art Center, SFA’s historic downtown gallery, is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By Robbie Goodrich, director of arts information